The critical angle for a beam of light passing from water into air is 48.8°. This means that all light rays with an angle of incidence greater than this angle will be
A) absorbed.
B) totally reflected.
C) partially reflected and partially transmitted.
D) totally transmitted.
E) totally polarized.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which the angle of refraction becomes 90 degrees. At angles of incidence greater than the critical angle, the light will be totally internally reflected back into the water and none of it will be transmitted into the air. Therefore, option B - totally reflected - is the correct choice.

The Critical Angle for a Beam of Light Passing from Water