What phenomenon occurs during total internal reflection?

What phenomenon occurs during total internal reflection?

• A. Light is absorbed by the medium
• B. Light is partially reflected and refracted
• C. Light is completely reflected within the medium
• D. Light travels through the medium without any change

Answer: (C)

During total internal reflection, light is completely reflected within the medium when it encounters a boundary with a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle. This phenomenon occurs when light attempts to pass from a denser medium (like water or glass) into a less dense medium (like air) and the angle of incidence exceeds a specific threshold known as the critical angle. In this situation, rather than refracting into the second medium, the light is entirely reflected back into the denser medium. This principle is pivotal in many applications, including fiber optics, where it allows light to travel long distances with minimal loss. The total reflection ensures that the light remains contained within the fiber, enabling effective transmission of signals. Other options outline different interactions of light with materials. Absorption would indicate that light is taken in by the medium, while partial reflection and refraction suggest that some light escapes into the less dense medium rather than reflecting completely. Describing light traveling through the medium without changes implies transparency and does not pertain to the effects observed during total internal reflection.

During total internal reflection, light is completely reflected within the medium when it encounters a boundary with a less dense medium at an angle greater than the critical angle. This phenomenon occurs when light attempts to pass from a denser medium (like water or glass) into a less dense medium (like air) and the angle of incidence exceeds a specific threshold known as the critical angle.

In this situation, rather than refracting into the second medium, the light is entirely reflected back into the denser medium. This principle is pivotal in many applications, including fiber optics, where it allows light to travel long distances with minimal loss. The total reflection ensures that the light remains contained within the fiber, enabling effective transmission of signals.

Other options outline different interactions of light with materials. Absorption would indicate that light is taken in by the medium, while partial reflection and refraction suggest that some light escapes into the less dense medium rather than reflecting completely. Describing light traveling through the medium without changes implies transparency and does not pertain to the effects observed during total internal reflection.