Question

Define the following:
(a) Total internal reflection
(b) Diffraction of light
(c) Refraction of light

Answer 1

(a) Total internal reflection is reflection of light that occurs when light travelling from denser medium to rarer medium is incident on the interface at an angle greater than the critical angle.

(b) Diffraction is defined as the bending of light around the corners of an obstacle or aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle.

(c) Refraction is the bending of a wave when it enters a medium where its speed is different. The refraction of light when it passes from a fast medium to a slow medium bends the light ray toward the normal to the boundary between the two media.