Question

Mirage is an example of __________.

Answer 1

Hint: The phenomenon normally occurs during the transfer of light rays from a denser medium to a denser medium is known as the total internal reflection. We will understand this more in the following solution. Refer to the solution below.

Complete answer:
Take the next scenario into consideration. A light ray flows from a water medium into an air medium. At the junction between the two media, the light ray will be refracted. The refracted light ray curves away from the usual as it moves from a medium with a higher refractive index to one which has a lower refractive index. The incident light ray is refracted at a particular angle of incidence so that it passes over the water surface. The critical angle is called this particular angle of incidence. The refractive angle is 90 degrees here. The incident ray is transmitted back to the medium where the angle of impact is greater than the critical angle. This phenomenon is known as the Total Internal Reflection.

Taking into consideration some of the examples of Total Internal Reflection-

Optical fibers: When the incident ray drops on the cladding, the total inner reflection is as high as the angle created by the light. The speed at which signals are transmitted has revolutionized fiber-optics not only in cities, but also in countries and continents, making telecommunications one of the quickest modes. The endoscopy also uses optical fibers.

Mirage: It is an optical illusion that induces the presence of the layer of water in a desert or on the road at short distances. Mirage is an example of total internal reflection caused by atmospheric refraction.
Hence, from the above explanation it is clear that the mirage is considered as an example of Total Internal Reflection.

Note:
Another example is the diamond. If the incident ray falls on both sides of the diamond, the angle is bigger than the critical angle. The diamond's critical value is 23 °. The total internal reflection that shines in the diamond is responsible for this state.