Class Notes: Total Internal Reflection
I. Introduction to Total Internal Reflection
Total internal reflection is a phenomenon that occurs when a wave traveling through one
medium hits the boundary with another medium at an angle greater than the critical angle
and is completely reflected back into the original medium. This is a critical concept in optics,
particularly in the functioning of optical fibers and certain types of lenses.
II. Conditions for Total Internal Reflection
Total internal reflection occurs under the following conditions:
1. The wave must be traveling from a denser medium to a rarer medium:
○ The denser medium has a higher refractive index (e.g., water or glass).
○ The rarer medium has a lower refractive index (e.g., air).
2. The angle of incidence must be greater than the critical angle:
○ The critical angle (θc\theta_cθc) is the angle of incidence at which the
refracted ray just grazes the boundary between the two media.
○ For angles of incidence greater than the critical angle, the wave is entirely
reflected back into the denser medium.
III. Critical Angle Calculation
The critical angle can be calculated using Snell's Law:
n1sin(θi)=n2sin(θr)n_1 \sin(\theta_i) = n_2 \sin(\theta_r)n1sin(θi)=n2sin(θr)
For total internal reflection, the angle of refraction (θr\theta_rθr) is 90° (i.e., the refracted ray
runs along the boundary). Therefore:
n1sin(θc)=n2sin(90°)n_1 \sin(\theta_c) = n_2 \sin(90°)n1sin(θc)=n2sin(90°)
sin(θc)=n2n1\sin(\theta_c) = \frac{n_2}{n_1}sin(θc)=n1n2
Where:
● n1n_1n1= refractive index of the denser medium
● n2n_2n2= refractive index of the rarer medium
Example:
For light traveling from water (n1=1.33n_1 = 1.33n1=1.33) to air (n2=1.00n_2 =
1.00n2=1.00):
sin(θc)=1.001.33\sin(\theta_c) = \frac{1.00}{1.33}sin(θc)=1.331.00
θc=sin−1(0.7519)≈48.6°\theta_c = \sin^{-1}(0.7519) \approx 48.6°θc=sin−1(0.7519)≈48.6°
IV. Applications of Total Internal Reflection
1. Optical Fibers:
○ Optical fibers rely on total internal reflection to transmit light signals over long
distances with minimal loss.
○ The light entering the fiber at one end undergoes multiple total internal
reflections, allowing it to travel through the fiber even if the fiber is bent.
2. Prisms:
○ Prisms are used in various optical instruments to reflect light paths without
loss.
○ Right-angled prisms can reflect light through 90° or 180° using total internal
reflection.
3. Binoculars and Periscopes:
○ Binoculars and periscopes use prisms to reflect light internally, allowing for
compact designs with high-quality image transmission.
4. Diamond Sparkle:
○ Diamonds have a high refractive index, resulting in a small critical angle. This
causes multiple total internal reflections within the diamond, contributing to its
sparkle.
V. Examples and Demonstrations
1. Laser in Water:
○ A laser beam directed through water at an angle greater than the critical
angle will reflect entirely within the water, demonstrating total internal
reflection.
2. Glass Rod in Air:
○ A glass rod in air can show total internal reflection when light enters one end
at a suitable angle and is reflected along the rod.
3. Oil and Water:
○ Oil floating on water can demonstrate total internal reflection if light travels
from water to oil at an angle greater than the critical angle for the water-oil
boundary.
VI. Practice Problems
1. Calculate the critical angle for light traveling from glass (n1=1.5n_1 =
1.5n1=1.5) to air (n2=1.0n_2 = 1.0n2=1.0).
sin(θc)=1.01.5\sin(\theta_c) = \frac{1.0}{1.5}sin(θc)=1.51.0
θc=sin−1(0.6667)≈41.8°\theta_c = \sin^{-1}(0.6667) \approx
41.8°θc=sin−1(0.6667)≈41.8°
2. If the critical angle for a certain medium interface is 60°, what is the ratio of the
refractive indices of the two media?
sin(60°)=n2n1\sin(60°) = \frac{n_2}{n_1}sin(60°)=n1n23/21=n2n1\frac{\sqrt{3}/2}{1} =
\frac{n_2}{n_1}13
