Total Internal Reflection

What is Total Internal Reflection (TIR)?

when light enters a medium and gets trapped inside that medium and bounces around

How do Fiber Optic Cables use TIR?

light is trapped inside the cable and continuously reflects off the inner walls due to total internal reflection

Why does TIR occur in Fiber Optic Cables?

the core is denser than the cladding and when light strikes the boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle, it reflects back into the core

What are Fiber Optic Cables used for?

phone lines, internet connections, high-speed communication systems, and medical endoscopes

Why do Diamonds Sparkle?

diamonds have a high index of refraction, causing light to undergo many internal reflections and refractions before leaving the diamond

Why is a Diamond’s Cut important?

the ideal cut for a diamond (45 degrees) create the proper angles to allow more total internal reflection, creating a sparkle

Why are prisms used in Binoculars and Periscopes?

they use total internal reflection to reflect nearly 100% of light

Why are prisms better than mirrors?

mirrors absorb some light and can deteriorate, while prisms reflect almost all light internally

How do Periscopes use prisms?

prisms change the direction of light by 90 degrees

How do Binoculars use prisms?

two prisms flip the image and change the light direction by 180 degrees