TIR

Question 1

What does TIR stand for?

Answer 1

Total Internal Reflection

Question 2

What form of communications make use of TIR?

Answer 2

Optical fibres (aka fibre optic technology).

Question 3

Give two uses for optical fibres.

Answer 3

1. High-speed internet connections
2. Endoscopes (medical diagnosis tool)

Question 4

What condition relating to the incident angle of the wave, must be met for TIR to occur?

Answer 4

The angle of incidence must be greater than the critical angle.

Question 5

What is the critical angle?

Answer 5

The angle beyond which the wave will be fully reflected at the boundary between two mediums.

Question 6

What is the critical angle in terms of angles of incidence and refraction?

Answer 6

The critical angle is the angle of incidence which produces a 90 degree angle of refraction.

Question 7

What is a CT scan?

Answer 7

Computerised Tomography Scan. A medical scanner that uses X-rays to form detailed images of the inside your body used for medical diagnosis.

Question 8

Give two advantages of a CT scan over endoscopy.

Answer 8

1. CT scans are non-invasive so don’t involve the insertion of equipment into the body.
2. CT scans can produce more detailed images of organ internals.

Question 9

Give an advantage of endoscopy over a CT scan.

Answer 9

Endoscopy doesn’t involve exposure to X-ray radiation, which in large doses can cause harm to body cells.