Refracted: meaning, definitions and examples

💡
Add to dictionary

refracted

 

[rɪˈfræktɪd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

optical phenomena

Refracted refers to the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. This phenomenon occurs due to a change in the speed of light, causing the light rays to change direction. The degree of refraction depends on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the involved media. Refracted light is a critical concept in optics and is utilized in various applications, including lenses and prisms.

Synonyms

altered, bent, changed, diverted.

Examples of usage

  • The refracted light created a rainbow.
  • He observed the refracted image of the fish in the water.
  • Lenses refract light to focus it properly.
  • The scientists studied how refracted waves behave in different materials.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Light travels in straight lines but can bend when it enters a new material, like how a straw looks bent in a glass of water.
  • The angle at which light hits the surface of a material affects how much it bends, described by a rule called Snell's Law.
  • Rainbows occur when sunlight is refracted through raindrops, creating beautiful colors in the sky.

Historical Origins

  • The study of light and optics dates back to ancient Greece, where philosophers like Euclid first described the behavior of light.
  • In the early 1600s, the phenomenon of refraction was explored by scientists like Johannes Kepler, who studied how lenses work.
  • The invention of the telescope in the early 17th century relied heavily on understanding how light could be refracted to magnify distant objects.

Pop Culture

  • In the animated movie 'Finding Nemo,' the way light refracts underwater is used to create stunning visuals of the ocean environment.
  • The term 'refraction' appears in various sci-fi stories, where characters manipulate light to become invisible or create illusions.
  • Artworks often use techniques based on light refraction to create depth and dimension, as seen in pieces by impressionist painters.

Psychology

  • Experiments show that our perception of colors can change based on the context in which light refracts, innovating how we understand color theory.
  • Cognitive studies suggest that how we perceive objects is influenced by their light refraction, affecting our emotions and thoughts about them.
  • Refraction can symbolize the way we see the world differently based on our experiences, much like how light alters our view.

Literature

  • In literature, refracted light often symbolizes clarity and the multifaceted nature of truth.
  • Poets frequently use the imagery of refraction to evoke the idea of shifted perspectives in their verses.
  • In classic novels, characters' insights can be described as moments of light refracting, illustrating their understanding deepening.

Translations

Translations of the word "refracted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 refratado

🇮🇳 अपर्णित

🇩🇪 refraktiert

🇮🇩 dibiaskan

🇺🇦 рефрактований

🇵🇱 załamany

🇯🇵 屈折した

🇫🇷 réfracté

🇪🇸 refractado

🇹🇷 kırılma

🇰🇷 굴절된

🇸🇦 منكسر

🇨🇿 zlomený

🇸🇰 lomenný

🇨🇳 折射的

🇸🇮 refraktiran

🇮🇸 brotið

🇰🇿 бұрылатын

🇬🇪 გამრუდებული

🇦🇿 sındırılmış

🇲🇽 refracted

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,570, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.