Refract: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
refract
[ rษชหfrรฆkt ]
physics, optics
To refract means to change the direction of light or other waves as they pass from one medium to another. This bending of the wave occurs due to a change in its speed when entering a different medium, like air to water.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Light refracts when it enters water.
- The lens refracts light to focus images.
- Refracting telescopes use this property to observe distant objects.
mathematics
In mathematics, to refract can refer to the process of altering the angle of a vector in relation to another direction.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- You must refract the angle to solve the problem.
- The vector was refracted based on the new parameters.
Translations
Translations of the word "refract" in other languages:
๐ต๐น refratar
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคชเคฐเฅเคฃ เคเคฐเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช refraktieren
๐ฎ๐ฉ memantulkan
๐บ๐ฆ ะทะปะฐะผัะฒะฐัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ refraktowaฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฑๆใใ
๐ซ๐ท rรฉfracter
๐ช๐ธ refractar
๐น๐ท kฤฑrฤฑlmak
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ตด์ ํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงููุณุงุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ refraktovat
๐ธ๐ฐ refraktovaลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๆๅฐ
๐ธ๐ฎ refraktirati
๐ฎ๐ธ brota
๐ฐ๐ฟ ััะฝะดััั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแฎแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ sฤฑndฤฑrmaq
๐ฒ๐ฝ refractar
Etymology
The term 'refract' originates from the Latin word 'refractus', which is derived from 'refringere'. The latter means 'to break again,' composed of 're-' meaning 'again' and 'frangere' meaning 'to break.' The use of 'refract' in the context of light and optics dates back to the 17th century, as scientists began to study the behavior of light more rigorously. The phenomenon of refraction was crucial in the development of optical instruments such as lenses and microscopes, significantly advancing scientific knowledge in both physics and astronomy. Through the centuries, the understanding and application of refraction have expanded, playing integral roles in various fields including photography, telecommunications, and other modern technologies.