Why Does Light Transition to a Second Medium During Total Internal Reflection?

AI Thread Summary
Total internal reflection occurs when light traveling from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index hits the boundary at an angle greater than the critical angle, resulting in complete reflection. The discussion seeks to understand why light appears to transition into the second medium despite being reflected. It is proposed that while light does not propagate through the second medium, an electric field exists there as an exponentially decaying standing wave. This interpretation aims to clarify the paradox of light behavior during total internal reflection. The conversation emphasizes the need for a deeper physical understanding of these optical phenomena.
arash1r
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Hi And Need Help
The main Question is what happens to light and cause go into next medium as total internal reflection happens for incident angles higher than critical angle ?
so the main question is why the light path throughout the second medium?
We know when light travels from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, according to Snell's law light in such cases is completely reflected by the boundary to the first medium, a phenomenon known as total internal reflection. so the main question is why the light path throughout the second medium?
My main propose is to achieve a physical interpretation of this paradoxical duality .
 
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At internal reflection, the light does not travel in the second medium, but there is an electric field there in the form of exponentially decaying standing wave.

ehild
 
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