TOTAL REFRACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Total refraction is a phenomenon in physics and optics where light waves passing from one medium to another are bent in such a way that they remain within the second medium instead of being transmitted back into the original medium. This occurs when the angle of incidence of the light wave is greater than the critical angle of the interface between the two media.
When light waves travel from a medium with a lower refractive index to a medium with a higher refractive index, such as from air to glass, they slow down and change direction due to the change in the speed of propagation. Total refraction occurs when the angle of incidence is larger than the critical angle, which is defined as the angle where the refracted ray travels along the boundary separating the two media. In this scenario, light rays are totally reflected back into the original medium rather than being transmitted to the second medium.
Total refraction plays a significant role in various optical applications, such as the functioning of fiber-optic communication systems and the creation of optical prisms. In fiber-optic communication, total refraction ensures that light signals remain within the fiber, allowing information to be transmitted over long distances without significant loss or distortion. Optical prisms, on the other hand, utilize total refraction to redirect light rays by reflecting them internally, enabling the manipulation and separation of different colors or wavelengths of light.
Etymology of TOTAL REFRACTION
The term "total refraction" is not commonly used in scientific literature or optics. However, if we break down the word, we can infer its possible meaning.
Etymology of "Total":
The word "total" comes from the Latin word "totalis", meaning "whole" or "entire". It was derived from the Latin word "totus", which means "all" or "the whole".
Etymology of "Refraction":
The word "refraction" comes from the Latin verb "refractus", the past participle of "refringere", which means "to break" or "to bend back". It consists of the prefix "re-" (indicating repetition or reversal) and the root "frangere", meaning "to break".
