Find the angle at which total internal refraction takes place when light is going from glass to air.

The angle at which this takes place is called the critical angle. 

We can apply Snell's law in this situation:  nsin C1 = nsin (90deg)

sin C = n/ n1 

If the second medium is air, then n~1, so sin C = 1/ n1

CT
Answered by Catherine T. Physics tutor

2337 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How might you use sound waves to smash a glass? What are other examples of resonance in everyday life?


A student has a mass of 80kg. How much would the student weigh on the surface of the Moon?


What is an electron volt?


What's the moment of a force and why would I need to understand it?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning