Total internal reflection When light is refracted into a medium with a smaller i

Question

Total internal reflection When light is refracted into a medium with a smaller index of refraction ( n1 > n2 ), Snell's law predicts that there will be a certain critical incident angle (with respect to the normal) ?1 = ?c for which the refracted angle ?2 (with respect to the normal) is 90. For ?1 > ?c refraction is simply not possible. All light is reflected. A light beam enters a semi-circular plexiglass prism (n=1.49). The light beam is directed toward the central point of the flat surface (point A). semi-circularprism2 What is the smallest ? (in degrees) for which an outgoing beam will be observed in air to the right of point A?

Explanation / Answer

Theta(critical)= sin^-1 (1/1.49)

=42.155 degrees

alpha= 90 - 42.155

= 47.845 degrees

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