Question

A drop of water is trapped in a block of ice. What’s the critical angle for total internal reflection at the water–ice interface?

 

 

Answer 1

Explanation:

The refractive index of water is,

ηwater = 1.33

 

The refractive index of ice is,

ηice = 1.31

 

The critical angle for total internal reflection is,

sin θc = ηice/ηwater

sin θc = 1.31/1.33

θc = sin-1(1.31/1.33)

θc = 80°

 

Conclusion:

 

ηwater = 1.33

ηice = 1.31

θc = 80°

ηwater = 1.33

ηice = 1.31

θc = 80°