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line of incidence

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

In physics, the line of incidence is the line along which light travels as it strikes a surface. It is perpendicular to the surface at the point of impact. The angle between the line of incidence and the normal to the surface is called the angle of incidence.

The line of incidence is important in understanding how light interacts with surfaces. For example, the angle of incidence determines how much light is reflected and how much light is refracted. If the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, all of the light will be reflected. However, if the angle of incidence is less than the critical angle, some of the light will be refracted and some of the light will be reflected.

The line of incidence is also important in understanding how lenses and mirrors work. Lenses and mirrors work by bending light rays. The amount of bending depends on the angle of incidence.

How can the word be used?

The angle of incidence is the angle between the line of incidence and the normal to the surface.

line of incidence

Different forms of the word

Noun: Line of incidence is the path that a ray of light travels from a source to a surface.

Adjective: Line of incidence can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is related to the line of incidence. For example, the angle of incidence is the angle between the line of incidence and the normal to the surface.

Etymology

The word "line of incidence" is made up of three words:

Line: A straight path along which a point moves.

Incidence: The act of coming into contact with something.

Normal: A line perpendicular to a surface.

So, the word "line of incidence" literally means "the line along which light comes into contact with a surface".

Question

What is a line of incidence?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Define the term "line of incidence" and explain how it relates to the phenomenon of reflection.

Answer:

The "line of incidence" refers to an imaginary straight line that extends from the point of incidence on a reflective surface to the point of origin of an incident ray of light. In the context of reflection, the line of incidence plays a crucial role in understanding how light interacts with surfaces.

When light strikes a surface, it follows a principle known as the law of reflection. This law states that the angle of incidence (the angle between the incident ray and the normal, a line perpendicular to the surface) is equal to the angle of reflection (the angle between the reflected ray and the normal). The line of incidence is essential in defining these angles accurately.

The line of incidence helps us predict the direction in which light will reflect off a surface. By drawing the line of incidence, we can determine the angles involved and visualise the reflected ray's path. This understanding is fundamental in various practical applications, such as designing mirrors, understanding how light interacts with everyday objects, and predicting how light behaves in optical devices.

In summary, the line of incidence is an imaginary line used to define the angles of incidence and reflection in the context of light reflection. It plays a crucial role in understanding and predicting how light interacts with surfaces, which is essential in many scientific and practical scenarios.