total internal reflection Flashcards
1
Q
what do optical fibres do?
A
they carry visible light over a long distance by bouncing waves off sides of thin inner cores of plastic/glass - wave enters one end and is reflected out other end
2
Q
when can total internal reflection only happen?
A
when the waves travel through a dense substance like glass or water towards a less dense substance like air
3
Q
a dense material with a high refractive index has …
A
a low critical angle
4
Q
when a material has a high refractive index it will…
A
totally internally reflect more light, so angle of incidence will be bigger than the critical angle
5
Q
example of total internal reflection
A
diamond being sparkly
6
Q
endoscopes?
A
- thin tubes containing optical fibres
- 2 bundles carry light and image back
- seen through eye piece or tv screen
- surgeons perform operation by only cutting tiny holes (keyhole surgery)
