Results for “Refraction”
10 terms
Refraction
Optics
Dimensionless (n)
The bending of a light ray as it passes obliquely from one transparent medium into another with a different refractive index.
n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2 (Snell's Law)
Critical Angle
Optics
Degrees (°)
The specific angle of incidence in an optically denser medium for which the angle of refraction in the rarer medium is exactly 90 degrees.
θ_c = arcsin(n2 / n1)
Mirage
Optics
N/A
An optical illusion caused by continuous refraction of light rays passing through air layers with steep temperature and density gradients.
n(z) = f(Temperature gradient)
Rainbow Formation
Optics
Degrees (°)
An optical meteorological phenomenon caused by reflection, refraction, and chromatic dispersion of sunlight inside raindrops.
θ_primary ≈ 42° (Red outer, violet inner)
Fermat's Principle
Optics
s (or m)
The fundamental principle stating that light traveling between two points follows the path that requires the stationary (usually minimum) optical path time.
Optical Path Length L = ∫ n(s) ds = extremum
Huygens-Fresnel Principle
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics
N/A
The wave propagation principle asserting that every point on a wavefront acts as a secondary source of spherical wavelets.
New Wavefront = Envelope of Secondary Wavelets
Metamaterials
Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
Dimensionless Index n < 0
Artificially engineered composite structures designed with subwavelength resonant features that display electromagnetic properties not found in natural materials.
n_refractive = - √(ε_r μ_r) (Negative Refractive Index)
Optical Tweezers
Biophysics & Medical Physics
pN (Piconewton Forces ~0.1–100 pN)
A biophysical instrument using a strongly focused laser beam to trap, manipulate, and exert piconewton forces on microscopic dielectric particles or biological molecules.
F_gradient = ½ α ∇(E²), Hooke's Law F = -k_trap x
Spherical Aberration
Optics
m
An image blur defect in spherical lenses and mirrors where marginal rays focus closer to the element than paraxial central rays.
Δf_spherical = f_marginal - f_paraxial
Total Internal Reflection
Optics
Degrees (°)
The complete reflection of a light ray inside an optically denser medium when striking the boundary with a rarer medium at an angle exceeding the critical angle.
sin θ_c = n2 / n1 (where n1 > n2)