Optics & Waves
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Critical Angle

Angle beyond which total internal reflection occurs.

Formula

θc=sin⁡−1n2n1\theta_c = \sin^{-1}\frac{n_2}{n_1}

Variables

n_1,n_2Refractive indices

Did You Know?

Total internal reflection past the critical angle keeps light bouncing down optical fibres across oceans.

total internal reflectionoptics