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(a) Under what conditions is the phenomenon of total internal reflection of light observed? Obtain the relation between the critical angle of incidence and the refractive index of the medium.

(b) Three lenses of focal lengths $+10 \; cm,\; -10\; cm$ and $+30 \; cm$ are arranged coaxially as in the figure given below. Find the position of the final image formed by the combination.

Answers (1)

(a) The conditions for the total internal reflection of light are :

(i) The angle of incidence must be greater than a certain angle (critical angle).

(ii) The light must be trying to travel from optically denser medium to optically lighter medium.

Now, the Relation :

Let us consider the two mediums, medium $1$ and medium $2$ in which the light is travelling from $1$ to $2$ medium. Here medium one is denser than medium 2.

Note that, when light strikes the surface separating the media, some rays of it reflects and some of it refracts.

If we continue increasing the angle of incidence, then the refracted ray becomes parallel to the surface. At this point, the value obtained for the angle of incidence is known as the critical angle.

Now, if we keep increasing the angle of incidence, even further, then we will only obtain reflected ray no refracted ray.

Thus, we will have a total internal reflection.

Now, let's consider the condition, when the angle of incidence is equal to the critical angle $(i_{c})$