Total Internal Reflection (OCR A Level Physics)

Revision Note

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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 C

  • This angle can be found using the formula:

  • This can easily be derived from Snell’s law where:
    • θ1 = C 
    • θ2 = 90°
    • nn
    • n2 = 1 (air)

  • Total internal reflection (TIR) occurs when:

The angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle and the incident refractive index n1 is greater than the refractive index of the material at the boundary n2

  • Therefore, the two conditions for total internal reflection are:
    • The angle of incidence, θ1 > the critical angle, C
    • Refractive index n1 > refractive index n2 (air)

Total Internal Reflection, downloadable AS & A Level Physics revision notes

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 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
    • Therefore, the angle of incidence (and 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

Examiner Tip

Always draw ray diagrams with a ruler, and make sure you're comfortable calculating unknown angles. The main rules to remember are:

  • Angles in a right angle add up to 90°
  • Angles on a straight line add up to 180°
  • Angles in any triangle add up to 180°

For angles in parallel lines, such as alternate and opposite angles, take a look at the OCR GCSE maths revision notes '7.1.1 Angles in Parallel Lines'

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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.