A wave is traveling from a slow to a faster material. At the critical
angle the wave is totally reflected. I know the math. I know the argument
that the exiting wave has a limited finite speed and can play Huygens'
principle to get all the way to the critical angle. One would think a HS
teacher should be happy. We know it happens and we can solve problems
about it happening but I cannot answer the very curious student (me
included) who wants a deeper understanding, a mechanism for this
happening. My assortment of texts did not do it for me. Can any of you?
Actually, I am not sure I can adequately explain why reflection works the
way it does in general.