total reflection

noun

, Optics.

1. the effect that occurs when light meets the interface between the medium in which it is traveling and a medium of smaller refractive index at an angle of incidence greater than the critical angle, all light being reflected back to the first medium.

Example Sentences

Hence a ray of light traveling obliquely downward is refracted more and more until total reflection takes place.

From Project Gutenberg

This action is called total reflection, the course of the reflected ray being according to the law of reflection.

From Project Gutenberg

See Art. 398 for a description of the Zeiss binocular field-glass for an example of this use of total reflection.

From Project Gutenberg

In this case the images are erect, the total reflection being from warm, still layers of air over colder layers near the water.

From Project Gutenberg

The common reflection and the total reflection of a beam of radiant heat may be simultaneously demonstrated.

From Project Gutenberg