Name two factors which affect the critical angle for a given pair of media. State how do the factors affect it.
Name two factors which affect the critical angle for a given pair of media. State how do the factors affect it.
Critical angle is directly proportional to the wavelength of the light. As the wavelength of the light increases, critical angle for the given pair of the media also increases. Since, red light has the maximum wavelength thus the critical angle for the red light is highest. Violet light has the minimum wavelength, therefore, critical angle for the violet light is less.
From this, we can also say that critical angle is highest for the medium having a less refractive index, whereas it is least for the medium having a high refractive index. Thus, the critical angle is inversely proportional to the refractive index of the given media.
Critical angle also depends upon the temperature. If the temperature of the medium increases then the critical angle for the given pair of the media also increases.
Critical angle is directly proportional to the wavelength of the light. As the wavelength of the light increases, critical angle for the given pair of the media also increases. Since, red light has the maximum wavelength thus the critical angle for the red light is highest. Violet light has the minimum wavelength, therefore, critical angle for the violet light is less.
From this, we can also say that critical angle is highest for the medium having a less refractive index, whereas it is least for the medium having a high refractive index. Thus, the critical angle is inversely proportional to the refractive index of the given media.
Critical angle also depends upon the temperature. If the temperature of the medium increases then the critical angle for the given pair of the media also increases.
