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Lesson: Total Internal Reflection

In this lesson, we will learn how to define total internal reflection (TIR) by describing rays produced by light rays incident at or past the critical angle for TIR.

Question Video: Total Internal Reflection

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Worksheet: Total Internal Reflection • 5 Questions

Q1:

Which of the following definitions best describes the critical angle for total internal reflection?

AThe critical angle is the angle at which the refracted ray travels along the boundary from which the incident ray is reflected.
BThe critical angle is the angle of refraction minus the angle of incidence.
CThe critical angle is the angle of incidence minus the angle of refraction.
DThe critical angle is the angle of incidence plus the angle of refraction.
EThe critical angle is the angle at which all incident light at a boundary is reflected.

Q2:

The rays , , and are shown incident on a boundary between water and air, traveling in water. Which incident ray produces total internal reflection?

A ray
B ray
CNone of the rays produce total internal reflection.
D ray

Q3:

Which of the following sets of conditions best describes total internal reflection?

ATotal internal reflection occurs when a light ray is completely reflected at the boundary between two media of different densities and the light ray is traveling in the higher-density medium.
BTotal internal reflection occurs when the angle of reflection of the reflected light ray is equal to the angle of refraction of the refracted ray.
CTotal internal reflection occurs when a light ray is completely reflected at the boundary between two media of different densities and the light ray is traveling in the lower density medium.
DTotal internal reflection occurs when a light ray is completely absorbed in an object.
ETotal internal reflection occurs when the reflected light ray moves along the same path as the incident light ray but in the opposite direction.

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