refractions
Waves changing direction
Refractions is the plural of refraction, which describes the bending of light, sound, or other waves as they pass from one medium into another of different density.
When light moves from air into water, for example, its path bends—this is why a straw in a glass appears kinked at the waterline.
The term extends to any similar distortion or altered perception: The refractions of truth through political spin made the facts hard to discern.
Atmospheric optical deception
- hazeMurky atmospheric suspension
- sunsetDay yielding to darkness
- sunriseMorning light's arrival
- horizonApparent earth-sky meeting
twinkling · scintillation · looming · rainbow · halo · sundog · glory · crepuscular
Light-focusing curved glass
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- dispersionScattering across space
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
waveguide · cornea · retina · microscope · telescope · binoculars · eyeglasses · camera
Refracted light arc
- colorsVisual spectrum variations
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- violetSmall five-petaled wildflower
- indigoPlant-derived blue dye
blue · green · yellow · orange · red · spectral · hue · chromatic
Curving from straight
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- warpingBecoming bent or twisted
- deviationDeparture from expected path
- displacementRemoval from usual location
shimmer · mirage · underwater · illusion · wavefront · aberration · astigmatism · blurring
mirage
Atmospheric optical deception
horizon · twinkling · scintillation · looming · rainbow · halo · sundog · glory · crepuscular · sky
lens
Light-focusing curved glass
- prismLight-splitting optical element
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- dispersionScattering across space
index · waveguide · cornea · retina · microscope · telescope · binoculars · eyeglasses · camera · laser
rainbow
Refracted light arc
- colorsVisual spectrum variations
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- violetSmall five-petaled wildflower
indigo · blue · green · yellow · orange · red · spectral · hue · chromatic · prismatic
bending
Curving from straight
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- warpingBecoming bent or twisted
- deviationDeparture from expected path
displacement · shimmer · mirage · underwater · illusion · wavefront · aberration · astigmatism · blurring
- renderingray tracing, shaders, shader, reflections, shadows
- ways things spreadwaves, seeds, ripples, spores, pollen
refractionsreflections
Returned light or thought
echoes · absorptions · mirrors · bouncing · mirror images
- double refractionLight splits into two paths
- light refractionBending of waves through media