Why is there no phase change for internal reflecti

Subject: Why is there no phase change for internal reflecti

Date: Tue Mar 6 08:05:02 2001
Posted by Robbie
Grade level: 10-12 School: Stromness Academy
City: Stromness State/Province: Orkney Country: United Kingdom
Area of science: Physics
ID: 983883902.Ph

Message:


When light is reflected by a more optically dense medium(eg light in air 
reflecting off glass), there is a phase change of 180 degrees. However, when it 
is reflected internally(eg light in glass reflected by the interface 
between the glass and air) there is no phase change. Why is this so?

Re: Why is there no phase change for internal reflecti

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