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Physics · L3 · Reflect, Refract, or Totally Internally Reflect?

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The path a light ray takes at a boundary between two materials, depending on the angle of incidence and the two refractive indices.

by @openstemUpdated Physics
🔍 Light ray hits a boundary between medium 1 and medium 2Is n1 greater than n2?Ray always refracts through, bending toward the normalAngle of incidence vs critical angle θc = sin⁻¹(n2/n1)?Ray partly reflects, partly refracts — bends away from the normal✨ Total internal reflection — no light escapes through the boundaryNo — entering a denser mediumYes — entering a less dense mediumLess than θcGreater than or equal to θc

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