Short Question Answers
1. Why does the bottom of the swimming pool always appear shallower than it actually is?
The bottom of the swimming pool always appears shallower than it actually is because of the refraction of light. In this case, the object (i.e. bottom of swimming pool) lies in the denser medium, hence light must travel from denser medium to rarer medium for vision. Because the light ray bends away from normal while traveling from denser to rarer medium the position is shifted to apparent position and apparent depth is alwayslesser the real depth.
2. Can TIR be achieved on rarer medium?
No, TIR cannot be achieved on rarer medium, because light bend towards the normal while travelling from rarer to denser medium and angle of refraction cannot be 90 in any position which is required for total internal reflection.
3. Why does diamond sparkle?
The surfaces of diamond are cut in such a way that it goes multiple TIR due to its high refractive index 2.42 and small critical angle 24.6. So, Diamondssparkle due to total internal reflection.
Some Practice questions
- Why does the sun look oval shape when it is near the horizon?
- What are the conditions for TIR?
- What is critical angle?
- A stick dipped partially in water seems bent, why?
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