Question Detail

PHY 104 Reflection and Refraction of Light Objective Question
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Question

What condition must be met for total internal reflection to occur?
Options
A Light must pass from a medium with a lower index of refraction to a medium with a higher index of refraction.
B The angle of incidence must be less than the critical angle.
C The angle of incidence must be greater than the critical angle.
Correct Answer
D The light must be polarized at a specific angle.
Correct Answer

Option C is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

Page 48 states: 'If the angle of incidence is larger than this [critical angle], no transmission occurs. This is called total internal reflection.' Page 47 also notes that light must pass into a medium with a smaller index of refraction for the angle of refraction to be larger, a prerequisite for a critical angle to exist.

Hint

Total internal reflection prevents light from exiting a denser medium into a rarer one.

Question Info

Course: PHY 104
Topic: Reflection and Refraction of Light
Type: Objective
Difficulty: Not specified
Question 44 of 947
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