A light ray of wavelength 610 nm is incident

Question

at an angle θ on the top surface of a block of
polystyrene surrounded by water.
Find the maximum value of θ for which the
refracted ray will undergo total internal re-
flection at the left vertical face of the block.
(Assume the refractive index of water is 1.333,
and the refractive index of polystyrene is
1.487.)
Answer in units of
◦

I looked for the critical angle and then, since its a right angle just get the angle measure that would equal the incident angle at the top

Answer 1

See the 1st link below under Related Questions.

A similar problem was answered.

Answer 2

that link just tells you that question is missing, but it doesnt help answer it

Answer 3

The first link below does have an answer.

Whether it is a complete answer, I wouldn't know.

You have to scroll down quite a bit for
the answer. I am pasting that answer here.
Maybe it will help you get started.

Physics - drwls, Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 9:48pm

First you have to look up the index of refraction for water, polystyrene and carbon disulfide. Apparently they have not provided you with those numbers.

You can only get total internal reflection when a light ray tries to enter a medium with a lower index of refraction. That is not what happens in Part 1, so the answer to that one is B.

For the others, get the refractive index, see if Total Internal Reflection is possible, and apply Snell's law if refraction is possible.

Answer 4

I don't really know what the refractive index is or the Total Internal Reflection, i jst know Snell's law