This happens if the incident angle is GREATER THAN the critical angle. It will only happen when the light is passing from an optically dense medium (glass) to an optically less dense medium (air). When total internal reflection occurs there is NO REFLECTION of light. optical fibre has greater information carrying 6.5 Process and analyse Carrying capacity – information to compare and capacity than any other medium (including radio, wireless or copper contrast copper cables with fibre wire) optic cables in relation to: much greater amounts of information can be transferred at a Cost – Carrying capacity much lower cost per GB of data to the service provider and Cost consumer. Optical fibre is therefore much cheaper using this Rate of information criterion. transfer information transfer via fibre optic cables is significantly faster Security Rate – than copper cables Security signals in copper wires can be more readily than – ‘tapped’ optical fibre signals; copper wires present a greater security risk than optical fibres. SUMMARY
This happens if the incident angle is GREATER THAN the critical angle. It will only happen when the light is passing from an optically dense medium (glass) to an optically less dense medium (air). When total internal reflection occurs there is NO REFLECTION of light. 6.5 Process and analyse information to compare and contrast copper cables with fibre optic cables in relation to: Carrying capacity Cost Rate of information transfer Security Carrying capacity – optical fibre has greater information carrying capacity than any other medium (including radio, wireless or copper wire) Cost – much greater amounts of information can be transferred at a much lower cost per GB of data to the service provider and consumer. Optical fibre is therefore much cheaper using this criterion. Rate – information transfer via fibre optic cables is significantly faster than copper cables Security – signals in copper wires can be ‘tapped’ more readily than optical fibre signals; copper wires present a greater security risk than optical fibres. SUMMARY
Senior_Science_Notes_-_Information_Systems_2.docx