Term
| What is the critical angle? |
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Definition
| The critical angle is angle of incidence that produces an angle of refraction of 90o.
link to the page on this in Cyberphysics |
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Term
| What is the (approx) critical angle of glass? |
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Definition
| 42o This varies with the type of glass - denser glass will have a smaller critical angle.
link to the page on this in Cyberphysics |
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Term
| What has the smallest critical angle? |
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Definition
| Diamond - (24.4o)
link to the page on this in Cyberphysics |
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Term
| When does total internal reflection occur? |
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Definition
| Total internal reflection occurs when: - a ray of light is incident upon a boundary with an optically rarer medium (one that makes it speed up) and
- the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle.
link to the page on this in Cyberphysics |
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Term
| Give two uses of total internal reflection |
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Definition
| Any of the following:
- In an endoscope or fibroscope
- For communication - cable TV uses fibre optic cable
- In prismatic binoculars
- Bicycle reflectors
link to the page on this in Cyberphysics |
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