angle of incidence

noun phrase

: the angle that a line (such as a ray of light) falling on a surface or interface makes with the normal drawn at the point of incidence

Examples of angle of incidence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The light hits at a larger and larger angle of incidence (θ1 approaches 90 degrees), but the angle of refraction hardly changes anymore. —Rhett Allain, WIRED, 23 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

angle of incidence

: the angle that a ray meeting a surface makes with a perpendicular to the surface at the point of contact

Medical Definition

angle of incidence

noun

: the angle that a line (as a ray of light) falling on a surface or interface makes with the normal drawn at the point of incidence