Total internal reflection / Fibre Optics

Question 1

define total internal reflection

Answer 1

When a wave that is already in an optically dense medium hits the boundary with a less dense medium and energy is reflected back into denser medium.

Question 2

define critical angle

Answer 2

the angle of incidence when the angle of refraction is at 90 degrees

(refractive ray skims along the surface of the glass)

Question 3

When does total internal reflection occur?

Answer 3

angle of incidence > critical angle

Question 4

equation for refractive index

Answer 4

n = 1 /sin C

Question 5

name 2 examples of total internal reflection

Answer 5

fibre optics

endoscopes

Question 6

how is TIR in fibre optics?

Answer 6

light is fed into cut end of the fibre,

light almost always does so greater than critical angle

Question 7

what does a fibre optic look like?

Answer 7

long thin cylinders of glass, sending infomation

Question 8

What is an endoscope?

Answer 8

enables an image of the inside of the body to be obtained with minimal surgery