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Critical Angle

Find the critical angle from a denser optical medium.

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Local calculations. Results are estimates, not professional advice.

Critical angle from normal

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Idealized SI-unit educational model. Real components, tolerances, losses and safe operating limits require separate verification.

Formula

Use θ = asin(n₂/n₁). n₁ is incident refractive index and n₂ is transmitted refractive index, with n₁ > n₂. The critical angle is measured from the normal and displayed in degrees.

Find the critical angle from a denser optical medium.

Worked example

Incident refractive index
1.5
Transmitted refractive index
1
Critical angle from normal
41.8103148958 °

Scope and limitations

Idealized SI-unit educational model. Real components, tolerances, losses and safe operating limits require separate verification.

Inputs are checked for missing values and allowed ranges. A result outside the finite numeric range is not displayed. Rounding affects display, while the calculation uses the model’s numeric precision.

Check your units and assumptions before relying on a result. Changing a label does not convert a currency or physical unit.

Formula version: 66694fcec2c1 · Example checked:

Methodology

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