Total Internal Reflection (Edexcel GCSE Physics)

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Total Internal Reflection

  • As the angle of incidence is increased, the angle of refraction also increases until it gets closer to 90°
  • When the angle of refraction is exactly 90° the light is refracted along the boundary
    • At this point, the angle of incidence is known as the critical angle θc

  • Total internal reflection (TIR) occurs when:

The angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle and the incident material is denser than the second material

  • Therefore, the two conditions for total internal reflection are:
    • The angle of incidence > the critical angle (i > θc)
    • The incident material is denser than the second material

Total Internal Reflection, downloadable IGCSE & GCSE Physics revision notes

Critical angle and total internal reflection

Worked example

A glass cube is held in contact with a liquid and a light ray is directed at a vertical face of the cube.The angle of incidence at the vertical face is 39° and the angle of refraction is 25° as shown in the diagram.The light ray is totally internally reflected for the first time at X.Total Internal Reflection Worked Example (1), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notesComplete the diagram to show the path of the ray beyond X to the air and calculate the critical angle for the glass-liquid boundary.

Total Internal Reflection Worked Example (2), downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

Step 1: Draw the reflected angle at the glass-liquid boundary

    • When a light ray is reflected, the angle of incidence = angle of reflection (i = r)
    • Therefore, the angle of incidence (or reflection) is 90° – 25° = 65°

Step 2: Draw the refracted angle at the glass-air boundary

    • At the glass-air boundary, the light ray refracts away from the normal
    • Due to the reflection, the light rays are symmetrical to the other side

Step 3: Calculate the critical angle

    • The question states the ray is “totally internally reflected for the first time” meaning that this is the lowest angle at which TIR occurs
    • Therefore, 65° is the critical angle

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.