Brewster’s law is a fundamental principle of optics that describes the relationship between the angle of incidence of light on a surface and the polarization of the reflected light. This law is named after Sir David Brewster, a Scottish physicist who discovered it in 1812. In this article, we will discuss the definition, origin, and meaning of Brewster’s law, as well as its associations, synonyms, and antonyms.
Definitions
Brewster’s law states that when a ray of light is incident on a surface at a particular angle, called the Brewster angle, the reflected light is completely polarized. The Brewster angle is defined as the angle of incidence at which the reflected light is completely polarized and the reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular to each other.
Another definition of Brewster’s law is that it describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the polarization of the reflected light. The law states that the reflected light is polarized perpendicular to the plane of incidence when the angle of incidence is equal to the Brewster angle.
Origin
Brewster’s law is named after Sir David Brewster, a Scottish physicist who discovered it in 1812. Brewster was experimenting with the polarization of light when he observed that the reflected light from a glass surface was completely polarized when the angle of incidence was 57.5 degrees. He named this angle the Brewster angle, and his discovery became known as Brewster’s law.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Brewster’s law is defined as “the principle that the angle of incidence of a ray of light on a surface at which the reflected light is completely polarized is equal to the angle of incidence at which the refracted ray is at right angles to the surface.”
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Brewster’s law as “a law in physics: the angle of incidence of a ray of light upon a surface at which the reflected and refracted rays are at right angles to each other and the reflected ray is completely polarized is equal to the angle of incidence at which the refracted ray is at right angles to the surface.”
Associations
Brewster’s law is closely associated with the polarization of light and the reflection of light from surfaces. It is also used in the design and manufacture of polarizing filters, which are used in a variety of optical applications, such as cameras, microscopes, and telescopes.
Synonyms
There are no direct synonyms for Brewster’s law, as it is a specific principle of optics. However, related terms include polarization, reflection, and refracted ray.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for Brewster’s law, as it is a fundamental principle of optics. However, related terms that are opposite in meaning include non-polarized, diffuse reflection, and refracted ray.
The same root words
Brewster’s law does not have any specific root words, as it is named after Sir David Brewster, the physicist who discovered it.
Example Sentences
- The polarizing filter in my camera lens is based on Brewster’s law.
- The angle of incidence at which the reflected light is completely polarized is called the Brewster angle.
- Brewster’s law is a fundamental principle of optics that describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the polarization of the reflected light.
Brewster’s law is a fundamental principle of optics that describes the relationship between the angle of incidence of light on a surface and the polarization of the reflected light. It is named after Sir David Brewster, a Scottish physicist who discovered it in 1812. The law is closely associated with the polarization of light and the reflection of light from surfaces, and it is used in the design and manufacture of polarizing filters. Understanding Brewster’s law is essential for anyone studying optics or working with optical instruments.