Total Internal Reflection Video Lessons

Concept

Problem: The figure shows some light rays reflected from a small defect in the glass toward the surface of the glass.(a) If θc = 40.00°, what is the index of refraction of the glass?(b) Is there any point above the glass at which the viewer would not be able to see the defect? Explain.

FREE Expert Solution

Critical angle:

$\overline{){{\mathbf{\theta }}}_{{\mathbf{c}}}{\mathbf{=}}{\mathbf{s}}{\mathbf{i}}{{\mathbf{n}}}^{\mathbf{-}\mathbf{1}}{\mathbf{\left(}}\frac{{\mathbf{\eta }}_{\mathbf{1}}}{{\mathbf{\eta }}_{\mathbf{2}}}{\mathbf{\right)}}}$

(a)

Let the refractive index of air be η1 and the refractive index of the glass be η2

We know that the refractive index of air, η1 = ηa = 1

Problem Details

The figure shows some light rays reflected from a small defect in the glass toward the surface of the glass.

(a) If θc = 40.00°, what is the index of refraction of the glass?

(b) Is there any point above the glass at which the viewer would not be able to see the defect? Explain.