Question

Total internal reflection can most accurately be described as...

a. reflection of all the light at a surface.
b. the reflection of a small portion of light striking a surface.
c. transmission of light across a surface when incident at a right angle.
d. the dual combination of reflection and refraction off a surface.
e. refraction of all the light at a surface.
f. transmission of light with a minimum amount of refraction.

Answer 1

a. reflection of all the light at a surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

When light rays passing from the denser medium to the rarer medium and the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, the refraction of light does not take place and the incident ray is totally reflected back into the denser medium. This phenomenon is called total internal reflection.

There are two conditions that need to be fulfilled in order for the total internal reflection to take place:

1. The ray of light should be incident from denser to rarer medium.

2. The angle of incidence should be greater than the critical angle.

Therefore, the correct option will be:

a. reflection of all the light at a surface.