Refraction and total internal reflection
Refraction and total internal reflection is an interactive experiment in Ray Optics, a free simulation from StudyFi Lab that runs right in your browser.
At the boundary between two media a ray is partly reflected and partly refracted by Snell’s law, n₁ · sin θ₁ = n₂ · sin θ₂. Entering a denser medium it bends towards the normal, entering a less dense one it bends away. Going into the less dense medium beyond the critical angle θc = arcsin(n₂/n₁), the refracted ray disappears and total internal reflection takes over.
Try this: Set water on top and air below and increase the angle — beyond 48.8° all the light is reflected back.
Frequently asked questions
What does the “Refraction and total internal reflection” experiment show?
At the boundary between two media a ray is partly reflected and partly refracted by Snell’s law, n₁ · sin θ₁ = n₂ · sin θ₂. Entering a denser medium it bends towards the normal, entering a less dense one it bends away. Going into the less dense medium beyond the critical angle θc = arcsin(n₂/n₁), the refracted ray disappears and total internal reflection takes over.
How do I try “Refraction and total internal reflection”?
Set water on top and air below and increase the angle — beyond 48.8° all the light is reflected back.
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