PHYSICS – Total Internal Reflection and

Lenses

Core
•Describe the formation of an optical image by
a plane mirror, and give its characteristics
• Recall and use the law angle of incidence =
angle of reflection
Describe an experimental demonstration of
the refraction of light
• Use the terminology for the angle of
incidence i and angle of refraction r and
describe the passage of light through parallel-
sided transparent material
• Give the meaning of critical angle
• Describe internal and total internal
reflection
Describe the action of a thin converging lens
on a beam of light
• Use the terms principal focus and focal
length
• Draw ray diagrams for the formation of a
real image by a single lens
• Describe the nature of an image using the
terms enlarged/same size/diminished and
upright/inverted
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Supplement
Describe the formation of an optical image by a
plane mirror, and give its characteristics
• Recall and use the law angle of incidence =
angle of reflection
Recall and use the definition of refractive
index n in terms of speed
• Recall and use the equation sin I / sin r=n
• Recall and use n = 1 / sin c
• Describe and explain the action of optical
fibres particularly in medicine and
communications technology
Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of
a virtual image by a single lens • Use and
describe the use of a single lens as a
magnifying glass • Show understanding of the
terms real image and virtual image
Refraction of light by a
semi-circular block.
Refracted Ray

Angle of
R
Refraction

Angle of
I
Incidence

Incident Ray
Refraction of light by a
semi-circular block.
Refracted Ray
When a ray of light travels
through a semi-circular block,
the ray will be refracted ………
Angle of
R
Refraction

Angle of
I
Incidence

Incident Ray
Refraction of light by a
semi-circular block.
Refracted Ray
When a ray of light travels
through a semi-circular block,
the ray will be refracted ………
Angle of
R
Refraction

Angle of Reflected Ray

I
Incidence

…… but there will also

be some reflection.
Incident Ray
Refraction of light by a
semi-circular block.
As the incident ray approaches
the ‘critical angle’
(approximately 42o) the
refracted ray travels at right-
angles to the normal. Refracted Ray

Incident Ray
Reflected Ray

There is now
more internal
reflection
Refraction of light by a
semi-circular block.

If the incident ray now enters the block at an

angle greater than the critical angle (42o) no
light is refracted.

Incident Ray Reflected Ray

Refraction of light by a
semi-circular block.

If the incident ray now enters the block at an

angle greater than the critical angle (42o) no
light is refracted.

Incident Ray Reflected Ray

All light is now reflected at the boundary. This

is known as TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION
Refraction of light by a
semi-circular block.
Medium Critical
angle
If the incident ray now enters the block at an
Water 49o angle greater than the critical angle (42o) no
Perspex 42o light is refracted.
Glass 41o
Diamond 24o

Incident Ray Reflected Ray

All light is now reflected at the boundary. This

is known as TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION
Refraction Calculations
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law
When light is
refracted, an increase
in the angle of
incidence i produces
an increase in the
angle of refraction r.
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law
When light is
refracted, an increase
in the angle of
incidence i produces
an increase in the
angle of refraction r.

Sin i = constant
Sin r
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law

Air i = 15o

Glass r = 10o

sin 15o = 0.26

sin 10o = 0.17

= 1.5
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law

Air i = 15o i = 45o

Glass r = 10o r = 28o

sin 15o = 0.26 sin 45o = 0.71

sin 10o = 0.17 sin 28o = 0.47

= 1.5 = 1.5
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law

Air i = 15o i = 45o i = 60o

Glass r = 10o r = 28o r = 35o

sin 15o = 0.26 sin 45o = 0.71 sin 60o = 0.87

sin 10o = 0.17 sin 28o = 0.47 sin 35o = 0.57

= 1.5 = 1.5 = 1.5

 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index

 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index

Refractive Index = Sin i

Sin r
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index

Air
Refractive Index = Sin i
Sin r i = 45o

RI =
1.33
?
Water
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index

RI = sin i
sin r
Air
Refractive Index = Sin i
Sin r 1.33 = sin 45o
i= 45o
sin r

sin r = sin 45o

1.33
RI =
1.33
? sin r = 0.532
Water
r = 32o
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

If the angle of incidence is

greater than the critical
angle, we will get total
internal reflection.
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

If the ray direction is

Critical angle
Incident Ray reversed, the angle of
incidence is now 90o, and the
c angle ‘c’ is now the angle of
refraction (critical angle).
Refracted Ray
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

If the ray direction is

Critical angle
Incident Ray reversed, the angle of
incidence is now 90o, and the
c angle ‘c’ is now the angle of
refraction (critical angle).
Refracted Ray
RI = sin i = sin90o
sin c sin c
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

If the ray direction is

Critical angle
Incident Ray reversed, the angle of
incidence is now 90o, and the
c angle ‘c’ is now the angle of
refraction (critical angle).
Refracted Ray
RI = sin i = sin90o
sin c sin c
RI = 1 sin c = 1
sin c RI
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

If the RI of glass = 1.5: sin c = 1 = 0.67 c = 42o

1.5

If the ray direction is

Critical angle
Incident Ray reversed, the angle of
incidence is now 90o, and the
c angle ‘c’ is now the angle of
refraction (critical angle).
Refracted Ray
RI = sin i = sin90o
sin c sin c
RI = 1 sin c = 1
sin c RI
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

The refractive
If theindex of =a1.5:
RI of glass medium
sin c = 1 is usually
= 0.67 c = 42o
1.5
denoted as ‘n’.
Critical angle
For a medium ofIncident
refractive
Ray index n: sin c = 1
c n
 Supplement
Refraction Calculations

Snell’s Law …and Refractive Index …and Critical Angles!

The refractive
If theindex of =a1.5:
RI of glass medium
sin c = 1 is usually
= 0.67 c = 42o
1.5
denoted as ‘n’.
Critical angle
For a medium ofIncident
refractive
Ray index n: sin c = 1
c n

eg. What is the critical angle for diamond if the refractive index (n) = 2.42?

sin c = 1 = 1 = 0.413 critical angle for diamond = 24.4o

n 2.42

Core
•Describe the formation of an optical image by
a plane mirror, and give its characteristics
• Recall and use the law angle of incidence =
angle of reflection
Describe an experimental demonstration of
the refraction of light
• Use the terminology for the angle of
incidence i and angle of refraction r and
describe the passage of light through parallel-
sided transparent material
• Give the meaning of critical angle
• Describe internal and total internal
reflection
Describe the action of a thin converging lens
on a beam of light
• Use the terms principal focus and focal
length
• Draw ray diagrams for the formation of a
real image by a single lens
• Describe the nature of an image using the
terms enlarged/same size/diminished and
upright/inverted
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Supplement
Describe the formation of an optical image by a
plane mirror, and give its characteristics
• Recall and use the law angle of incidence =
angle of reflection
Recall and use the definition of refractive
index n in terms of speed
• Recall and use the equation sin I / sin r=n
• Recall and use n = 1 / sin c
• Describe and explain the action of optical
fibres particularly in medicine and
communications technology
Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of
a virtual image by a single lens • Use and
describe the use of a single lens as a
magnifying glass • Show understanding of the
terms real image and virtual image
Lenses and Refraction

Convex lens Concave lens

Lenses and Refraction

Convex lens Concave lens

Converging Diverging lens

lens
Lenses and Refraction

Convex lens Concave lens

Converging Diverging lens

lens

Principal focus

Focal length
Lenses and Refraction

Convex lens Concave lens

Converging Diverging lens

lens

Principal focus Principal focus

Focal length Focal length

Lenses and Refraction

What happens to Convex lens

light as it passes
through the lens?
Lenses and Refraction

What happens to Convex lens

light as it passes
through the lens?
Lenses and Refraction

What happens to Convex lens

light as it passes
through the lens?
 Lenses and Refraction

What happens to Convex lens

light as it passes
through the lens?

As light passes through the

first face of the lens it
bends towards the normal
(refraction)
 Lenses and Refraction

What happens to Convex lens

light as it passes
through the lens?

As light passes through the

first face of the lens it
bends towards the normal
(refraction)
As light passes through the
second face of the lens it
bends away from the normal
(refraction)
 Lenses and Refraction

What happens to Convex lens

light as it passes
through the lens?

As light passes through the

first face of the lens it
bends towards the normal
(refraction)
As light passes through the
second face of the lens it
bends away from the normal
(refraction)
Lenses and Images
Rays from a distant object brought to focus on
a screen by a convex lens.

Object Convex Image

lens
Lenses and Images
Rays from a distant object brought to focus on
a screen by a convex lens.

Object Convex Image

lens
The image on the
screen is real and
inverted (upside-
down)
 Lenses and Images
Rays from a distant object brought to focus on
a screen by a convex lens.

Object Convex Image

lens
Light rays from a distant object are The image on the
considered to be parallel to each screen is real and
other, so the image passes through inverted (upside-
the principal focus. down)
 Lenses and Ray Diagrams
- Predicting where a convex lens will form an image.

F1 F
 Lenses and Ray Diagrams
- Predicting where a convex lens will form an image.

Standard Ray 1 – passes

through the centre of the lens

object

F1 F
 Lenses and Ray Diagrams
- Predicting where a convex lens will form an image.

Standard Ray 1 – passes

through the centre of the lens Standard Ray 2 – parallel to
the principal axis, and then
passes through F after leaving
object
the lens.

F1 F
 Lenses and Ray Diagrams
- Predicting where a convex lens will form an image.

Standard Ray 1 – passes

through the centre of the lens Standard Ray 2 – parallel to
the principal axis, and then
passes through F after leaving
object
the lens.

F1 F

Standard Ray 3 – passes

through F1, and then leaves
the lens parallel to the
principal axis.
 Lenses and Ray Diagrams
- Predicting where a convex lens will form an image.

Standard Ray 1 – passes

through the centre of the lens Standard Ray 2 – parallel to
the principal axis, and then
passes through F after leaving
object
the lens.

F1 F
The image
produced is
Standard Ray 3 – passes real, inverted
through F1, and then leaves and smaller
the lens parallel to the
principal axis.
than the
object.
 Lenses and Ray Diagrams
- Predicting where a convex lens will form an image.

Standard Ray 1 – passes

through the centre of the lens Standard Ray 2 – parallel to
the principal axis, and then
passes through F after leaving
object
the lens.

F1 F
The image
produced is
Standard Ray 3 – passes real, inverted
through F1, and then leaves and smaller
the lens parallel to the
principal axis.
than the
object.

Only two of the

standard rays are
required to work
out where they go.
 Lenses and Ray Diagrams
- Predicting where a convex lens will form an image.

Standard Ray 1 – passes

through the centre of the lens Standard Ray 2 – parallel to
the principal axis, and then
passes through F after leaving
object
the lens.

F1 F
The image
produced is
Standard Ray 3 – passes real, inverted
through F1, and then leaves and smaller
the lens parallel to the
principal axis.
than the
object.
As the object is
moved closer towards
Only two of the the lens, the image
standard rays are becomes bigger and
required to work further away.
out where they go.
 Uses of Convex Lenses

1. In a projector
 Uses of Convex Lenses

1. As a magnifying glass

F1 F
Object
between F1
and lens
 Uses of Convex Lenses
2. As a magnifying glass

F1 F
Object
between F1
and lens
 Uses of Convex Lenses
2. As a magnifying glass The rays appear to be coming from a
position behind the lens. The image
is upright and magnified, and it is
called a virtual image because no
rays actually meet to form it and
the image cannot be formed on a
screen.

F1 F
The image Object
is virtual, between F1
upright and lens
and
magnified.
Ray Diagram for a Concave Lens
- Predicting where a concave lens will form an image.

F
Ray Diagram for a Concave Lens
- Predicting where a concave lens will form an image.

object

F
The image is
virtual,
upright and
diminished
(smaller
than the
object).

Core
•Describe the formation of an optical image by
a plane mirror, and give its characteristics
• Recall and use the law angle of incidence =
angle of reflection
Describe an experimental demonstration of
the refraction of light
• Use the terminology for the angle of
incidence i and angle of refraction r and
describe the passage of light through parallel-
sided transparent material
• Give the meaning of critical angle
• Describe internal and total internal
reflection
Describe the action of a thin converging lens
on a beam of light
• Use the terms principal focus and focal
length
• Draw ray diagrams for the formation of a
real image by a single lens
• Describe the nature of an image using the
terms enlarged/same size/diminished and
upright/inverted
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
Supplement
Describe the formation of an optical image by a
plane mirror, and give its characteristics
• Recall and use the law angle of incidence =
angle of reflection
Recall and use the definition of refractive
index n in terms of speed
• Recall and use the equation sin I / sin r=n
• Recall and use n = 1 / sin c
• Describe and explain the action of optical
fibres particularly in medicine and
communications technology
Draw and use ray diagrams for the formation of
a virtual image by a single lens • Use and
describe the use of a single lens as a
magnifying glass • Show understanding of the
terms real image and virtual image
PHYSICS – Total Internal Reflection and
Lenses