Exam-style question
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Explain the conditions necessary for total internal reflection to occur.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Total internal reflection occurs when a wave travels from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, and the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.
- The critical angle is the angle of incidence above which all the light is reflected back into the denser medium.
Explanation
Why this works
This answer is strong because it clearly defines the conditions for total internal reflection, including the relationship between refractive indices and the critical angle. It tests the understanding of wave behavior at boundaries.
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