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Refraction: meaning, definitions and examples

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refraction

 

[ rɪˈfrækʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

optics science

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. This phenomenon occurs because light travels at different speeds in different materials. A common example of refraction is the bending of light when it passes through water, making a straight object appear bent when partially submerged. Refraction is also responsible for the formation of rainbows in the sky when sunlight interacts with water droplets. Understanding refraction is crucial in optics, as it impacts lens design and the behavior of light in various applications.

Synonyms

bending, curving, deflection

Examples of usage

  • The refraction of light in water creates a visual distortion.
  • The lens of the eye uses refraction to focus images on the retina.
  • Scientists study refraction to develop better optical instruments.

Translations

Translations of the word "refraction" in other languages:

🇵🇹 refração

🇮🇳 अपवर्तन

🇩🇪 Brechung

🇮🇩 pembiasan

🇺🇦 дисперсія

🇵🇱 załamanie

🇯🇵 屈折 (くっせつ)

🇫🇷 réfraction

🇪🇸 refracción

🇹🇷 kırılma

🇰🇷 굴절 (guljeol)

🇸🇦 انكسار

🇨🇿 lámání

🇸🇰 lámání

🇨🇳 折射 (zhéshè)

🇸🇮 loma

🇮🇸 broti

🇰🇿 бүгілу

🇬🇪 გამოწურული

🇦🇿 sındırma

🇲🇽 refracción

Etymology

The term 'refraction' originates from the Latin word 'refractio', which means 'a breaking up' or 'a bending back'. This Latin word is derived from 'refringere', where 're-' indicates 'back' and 'frangere' means 'to break'. The concept of refraction has been studied since ancient times, with notable contributions from philosophers and scientists like Ptolemy and Ibn al-Haytham (Alhazen) who made significant advancements in understanding light behavior. The modern understanding of refraction began to take shape in the 17th century with the work of scientists such as Willebrord Snellius, who formulated Snell's Law, describing the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction. Refraction is a fundamental principle in physics and has applications in various fields, including optics, telecommunications, and even medical imaging, where it plays a critical role in the workings of lenses and imaging equipment.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,005, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.