angle of incidence
Incoming ray's slant
The angle of incidence is the angle at which something strikes a surface, measured from a line perpendicular to that surface.
In optics, it determines how light reflects or refracts: The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
In aviation, it refers to the fixed angle between a wing and the fuselage.
Narrow light emission
- beamStructural support member
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
- normalConforming to standard
perpendicular · interface · boundary · medium · reflection · refraction · transmission · absorption
Light-splitting optical element
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- bendingCurving from straight
- dispersionScattering across space
- spectrumContinuous range of values
medium · glass · water · transparent · wavelength · focal point
Reflective viewing surface
- specularMirror-surfaced, image-returning
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- glancingLooking briefly or obliquely
- grazingFeeding on pasture
reflectance · surface · coating · metallic · bounce · deflection · scattering
Angle-measuring instrument
- degreesUnits of measurement
- radiansAngle measurement units
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- calibrationAdjusting for measurement accuracy
surveying · theodolite · sextant · inclinometer · alignment · trigonometry · instrumentation · metrology
ray
Narrow light emission
- beamStructural support member
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- photonElectromagnetic radiation unit
normal · perpendicular · interface · boundary · medium · reflection · refraction · transmission · absorption · polarization
prism
Light-splitting optical element
- lensLight-focusing curved glass
- bendingCurving from straight
- dispersionScattering across space
spectrum · medium · glass · water · transparent · wavelength · focal point
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- specularMirror-surfaced, image-returning
- diffuseSpread thinly throughout
- glancingLooking briefly or obliquely
grazing · reflectance · surface · coating · metallic · bounce · deflection · scattering
protractor
Angle-measuring instrument
calibration · surveying · theodolite · sextant · inclinometer · alignment · trigonometry · instrumentation · metrology
airfoil
Lift-generating curved surface
stall · pitch · flight · aerodynamic · aircraft · blade · rotor · turbine · efficiency · thrust