The angle of refraction is a term that is commonly used in the field of optics. It refers to the angle at which a light ray changes direction as it passes through a boundary between two different materials. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of the angle of refraction.
Definitions
The angle of refraction is defined as the angle between the refracted ray and the normal, which is an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface of the boundary between two materials. It is also known as the angle of deviation.
Origin
The concept of the angle of refraction was first introduced by the ancient Greek philosopher, Euclid. He observed that the angle at which a light ray changes direction as it passes through a boundary between two different materials is related to the angle at which the light ray approaches the boundary.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the angle of refraction is “the angle between the refracted ray and the normal to the surface of a refracting medium”. Merriam-Webster defines it as “the angle between the refracted ray and the normal to the surface separating two media”.
Associations
The angle of refraction is closely related to the concept of refraction, which is the bending of light as it passes through a medium with a different density. It is also related to the concept of reflection, which is the bouncing of light off a surface.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of the angle of refraction include the angle of deviation, the refractive angle, and the angle of incidence.
Antonyms
There are no specific antonyms of the angle of refraction, but it can be contrasted with the angle of incidence, which is the angle at which a light ray approaches the boundary between two materials.
The same root words
The root words of angle of refraction are “angle” and “refraction”. Angle refers to the measurement of the space between two intersecting lines or surfaces, while refraction refers to the bending of light as it passes through a medium.
Example Sentences
- The angle of refraction of a light ray passing from air to water is different from the angle of refraction of a light ray passing from air to glass.
- The angle of refraction depends on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two materials.
- The angle of refraction can be calculated using Snell’s law.