Question

The critical angle for total internal reflection at an air - water interface is approximately 48 degrees. In which of the following situations will total internal reflection occur.

A. light incident in water at 40 degrees
B. light incident in water at 55 degrees
C. light incident in air at 40 degrees
D. light incident in air at 55 degrees

Answer 1

QUESTION:

The critical angle for total internal reflection at an air - water interface is approximately 48 degrees. In which of the following situations will total internal reflection occur.

A. light incident in water at 40 degrees

B. light incident in water at 55 degrees

C. light incident in air at 40 degrees

D. light incident in air at 55 degrees

SOLUTION:

Total internal reflection is the reflection of the total amount of incident light at the boundary between two media. It occurs when light wave crosses a boundary between materials with different kinds of refractive indices and travels from a medium with a higher (in this case it is water) to one with a lower refractive index (in this case it is air). So, if the angle of incidence is greater then the critical angle total internal reflection occurs.

Hence the answer is B

ANSWER:

B