refraction
refraction Bending of a wave, such as a light or sound wave, when it crosses the boundary between two media, such as air and glass, and undergoes a change in velocity. The incident wave (striking the surface), refracted wave and the normal (line perpendicular to the surface) all lie in the same plane. The incident wave and refracted wave make an angle of incidence, i, and an angle of refraction, r, with the normal. The index of refraction for a transparent medium is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to its speed in the medium. Snell's law states that this ratio is constant for a given interface. See also reflection
refraction
refraction The bending of a ray which travels obliquely from one medium to another, at the interface separating the two; it is caused by the contrast in velocities with which the ray travels in the two media, and described by Snell's law. See also REFRACTION SURVEY.
refraction
refraction (ri-frak-shŏn) n. the change in direction of light rays when they pass obliquely from one transparent medium to another, of a different density. Refraction occurs as light enters the eye and passes through the cornea, lens, etc., to come to a focus on the retina. error of r. (refractive error) an abnormality of the eye, such as astigmatism or long- or short-sightedness, in which a blurred image forms on the retina due to abnormal focusing.
—refractive (ri-frak-tiv) adj.
—refractive (ri-frak-tiv) adj.
More From encyclopedia.com
Optics , Optics
Optics is the branch of physics that is concerned with visible light and its properties. Physicists who focus on optics study the properties o… Electromagnetic Spectrum , █ LARRY GILMAN
The electromagnetic spectrum consists of all the frequencies at which electromagnetic waves can occur, ordered from zero to infinity.… Polarization Of Light , plane-polarized light (PPL) As light travels, it normally vibrates in all directions at right angles to the line of transmission. If a strongly absor… Augustin Jean Fresnel , Fresnel, Augustin Jean
Fresnel, Augustin Jean
optics.
Fresnel’s father, Jacques, was a successful Norman architect and building contractor. In 1785,… Photon , Photon
The photon is the basic unit, particle, or carrier of light. Although it may seem odd that light is made of particles or pieces, it is a fact… Ray , ray1 / rā/ • n. 1. each of the lines in which light (and heat) may seem to stream from the sun or any luminous body, or pass through a small opening:…
About this article
refraction
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
refraction