Total Internal

Reflection
MA. CRISTINA O. NARVAEZ
MAEd-Physical Science
Total Internal Reflection

-is when the light ray hit

s the boundary between
two materials of differe
nt densities and is reflec
ted rather than refracte
d.
There are two conditions for total internal reflec
tion:

1. The angle of incidence must be greater than th

e critical angle.

2. The light must be passing from a medium wit

h a higher refractive index to a medium with a
lower one. For example, from water to air.
 Refractive Indices for some
common Gases
Refractive Index Helium 1.000035
Gas
- n -
Hydrochloric acid 1.000447
Acetone 1.001090 Hydrogen 1.000132

Air 1.000293 Methane 1.000444

Nitric oxide 1.000297
Alcohol, ethyl 1.000878
Nitrogen 1.000298
Alcohol, methyl 1.000586 Nitrous oxide 1.000516
Ammonia 1.000376 Oxygen 1.000271

Argon 1.000281 Pentane 1.000686

Sulphur dioxide 1.000686
Benzene 1.001762
Water vapor 1.000261
Bromine 1.001132

Carbon dioxide 1.000449

Carbon disulphide 1.001481

Carbon monoxide 1.000338

Chlorine 1.000773

Chloroform 1.001450

Ether, ethyl 1.001533

Ether, methyl 1.000891

Refractive Indices for some common Fluid
s
Refractive Ethylene glycol 1.43
Fluid Index
Ethyl salicylate 1.523 Paraldehyde 1.405
- n -
Ethyl cinnamate 1.559
Acetic Acid 1.37
Trichlorofluoromethane refrigera Parafin, liquid 1.48
Acetone 1.36 1.37
nt R-11 Propane 1.34
Alcohol, ethyl (ethanol) 1.36
Dichlorodifluoromethanerefrigera Propylene 1.36
Alcohol, methyl (methanol) 1.33 1.29
nt R-12
Propylene glycol 1.43
Alcohol, propyl 1.38 Chlorodifluoromethane
1.26 Quinoline 1.627
Aniline 1.586 refrigerant R-22
Toluene 1.497
Benzene 1.501 Furan 1.47
Turpentine (wood) 1.47
Benzyl benzoate 1.568 Glyserine (Glycerol) 1.47
Water 1.333
Carbon disulfide 1.63 Heptane 1.38
Carbon tetrachloride 1.46 Hexane 1.37
Chlorobenzene 1.525 Methyl salicylate 1.538
Chloroform 1.44 Methylene iodine 1.737
Decane 1.41 Milk 1.35
Dodecane 1.41 Octane 1.40
Ether 1.35 Oil, cedar 1.516
Oil, vegetable 50oC 1.47
Oil, oiive 1.46
Oil, turpentine 1.47
Refractive Indices for some common Solid
s

Refractive Index
Solid
- n -

Crown glass 1.5 - 1.62

Diamond 2.417

Flint glass 1.57 - 1.75

Ice 1.31

Plexiglas 1.49

Polystyrene 1.59

Salt 1.52
 Reflection and refraction
• Mirror reflects light

mirror
• Transparent medium refracts light

glass
 Formula
Snell’s Law
Problem Solving
• What is the critical angle between water and air
if the refractive angle is 90 degrees?

• Calculate the critical angle between glass and w

ater.

• The critical angle from the interference betwee

n solid and air is 40 degrees. What is the index
of refraction of the solid?
Application

• Fiber optics
• Mirage