Can a sphere has a critial angle

In summary, the conversation is discussing the concept of total internal reflection in a sphere. The speaker explains that the light is refracted twice, creating a rainbow effect due to the different angles of refraction for different wavelengths of light.
  • #1
no idea
93
0
can a sphere has a critial angle
 
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  • #2
I'm afraid you'll have to be a little more specific.

- Warren
 
  • #3
i mean why the water drop can total internal reflect and we can see a rainbow.I THINK CIRLCE DOES NOT HAS TOTAL REFLECT
 
  • #4
The light is refracted twice. Once when it enters the drop of water, and a second time when it exits. The angle of refraction depends on the wavelenght of the light. So red will be refracted at a different angle than blue. The whole thing works like a prism, and you get your rainbow. Is that what you wanted to know?
 

FAQ: Can a sphere has a critial angle

Can a sphere have a critical angle?

Yes, a sphere can have a critical angle. The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which a ray of light passing through a medium is refracted at an angle of 90 degrees. This only occurs when the light is passing from a denser medium to a less dense medium, such as from water to air.

What is the significance of a sphere having a critical angle?

The significance of a sphere having a critical angle is that light passing through the sphere at this angle will be refracted to create a total internal reflection. This can have practical applications in optics, such as in fiber optics, where total internal reflection is used to transmit light signals over long distances.

How is the critical angle of a sphere calculated?

The critical angle of a sphere can be calculated using the formula sin(critical angle) = n2/n1, where n1 is the refractive index of the medium the light is coming from and n2 is the refractive index of the medium the light is entering. For example, the critical angle for light passing from water (n1=1.33) to air (n2=1) is approximately 48.6 degrees.

Can the critical angle of a sphere be changed?

Yes, the critical angle of a sphere can be changed by altering the refractive indices of the mediums involved. This can be done by changing the composition or density of the mediums, or by introducing a third medium with a different refractive index between the two existing mediums.

Are there any real-life examples of spheres having a critical angle?

Yes, there are many real-life examples of spheres having a critical angle. One common example is the glass sphere in a magnifying glass, where light passing through the glass at a certain angle is refracted to create a magnified image. Another example is the human eye, where the cornea and lens work together to create a critical angle for light to focus on the retina. Other examples include water droplets, bubbles, and crystals.

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