Final answer:
Fiber optics is a technology that involves the transmission of light impulses along a glass fiber using total internal reflection. It is commonly used in communications to transmit signals such as telephone, internet, and cable TV. Fiber optics offer advantages such as low loss, high bandwidth, and reduced crosstalk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fiber optics is a technology associated with the transmission of information as light impulses along a glass wire or fiber. It works by applying the principle of total internal reflection, where light rays are totally reflected when they strike the inside surface of the fiber at an angle greater than the critical angle.
Fiber optics are commonly used in communications to transmit telephone, internet, and cable TV signals. The thin fibers allow light to be guided along the fiber through total internal reflection, making them into tiny light pipes. By coating the outside of the fiber with a material having an appropriate refractive index, the index of refraction outside the fiber is smaller than inside, ensuring total internal reflection.
Some advantages of fiber optics include low loss, high bandwidth, and reduced crosstalk, making it a superior choice for long-distance communication systems.