Total Internal Reflection

Flashcards covering the definition, conditions, and process of total internal reflection (TIR) based on the lecture notes.

Total internal reflection (TIR)

A phenomenon that occurs when light travelling from a denser medium reaches the boundary with a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle, causing the light to be completely reflected back into the denser medium instead of refracting out.

Critical angle

The angle of incidence above which light travelling from a denser medium to a less dense medium cannot refract out and is instead completely reflected back into the denser medium.

Conditions for Total Internal Reflection (TIR)

Light must be travelling from a denser medium towards a boundary with a less dense medium, and the angle of incidence at the boundary must be greater than the critical angle.