Step 1: Understand that total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a medium with a higher refractive index to a medium with a lower refractive index.
Step 2: Identify the refractive indices given: the core has a refractive index (n1) of 1.6 and the cladding has a refractive index (n2) of 1.5.
Step 3: Use the formula for the critical angle (θc): θc = sin⁻¹(n2/n1).
Step 4: Substitute the values into the formula: θc = sin⁻¹(1.5/1.6).
Step 5: Calculate the value of 1.5/1.6, which is approximately 0.9375.
Step 6: Find the inverse sine (sin⁻¹) of 0.9375 using a calculator or trigonometric table.
Step 7: The result is approximately 38.7°, which is the critical angle.
