angle of incidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "angle of incidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in physics and optics to describe the angle at which a ray of light or other wave strikes a surface. Example: "The angle of incidence affects how much light is reflected versus refracted when it hits the water's surface."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Light with the vector k incident on the sample is defined by the angle of incidence ϑ as well as the azimuth angle [see Fig. 2(a)].

Nature

The angle of incidence was 3°.

Surface and Coatings Technology

That's because the reflectivity changes with the angle of incidence but exactly how is not known.

MIT Technology Review

Excerpts from Angle of Incidence choreographed by Jodie Gates have been staged by Jennifer Lott.

Princeton University

For specular reflections, the reflection angle equals the angle of incidence.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The angle of incidence laser was controlled at 5°.

Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry

One effect comes from the variation in the horizontal angle of incidence of the electron on the scintillator.

Nature

But something else happens instead: the film bends the jet by an amount that depends on its angle of incidence.

MIT Technology Review

The phenomenon occurs if the angle of incidence is greater than a certain limiting angle, called the critical angle.

Britannica

Vibration measurements were corrected for the refractive index of the fluid, but not (directly) for the angle of incidence.

Nature

This can easily be seen by considering the law of reflection (angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection).

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the "angle of incidence", clarify the context (e.g., optics, physics, or aerodynamics) to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "angle of incidence" interchangeably with "angle of reflection". The "angle of incidence" refers to the angle at which a wave or ray approaches a surface, while the angle of reflection refers to the angle at which it leaves the surface.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "angle of incidence" functions as a noun phrase typically used to describe a geometrical relationship. It often appears as a subject or object within a sentence related to physical phenomena. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

Academia

25%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "angle of incidence" is a very common noun phrase primarily used in scientific and academic contexts to describe the angle at which a ray or wave approaches a surface. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various scientific domains. Related phrases include "incidence angle" and "angle of approach", but it's important to avoid confusing it with the "angle of reflection". When using "angle of incidence", ensure clarity by specifying the context and avoid using it interchangeably with similar but distinct terms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incidence angle

This is a direct synonym, offering the same meaning with a slight variation in word order.

incident angle

Similar to "incidence angle", it rearranges the words while keeping the meaning intact.

angle of approach

Focuses on the approaching aspect rather than the impact itself.

impact angle

Emphasizes the moment of impact, changing the nuance slightly from the approach.

grazing angle

Specifies a shallow "angle of incidence", useful when the angle is near parallel to the surface.

illumination angle

Highlights the angle at which light is cast upon a surface.

viewing angle

Describes the angle from which an object is observed.

sun angle

Specifies the "angle of incidence" of sunlight on a surface.

reflection angle

While related, focuses on the outgoing angle after reflection rather than the incoming angle.

tilt angle

Focuses on the inclination or slant of the incident ray.

FAQs

How is "angle of incidence" used in physics?

In physics, "angle of incidence" refers to the angle between a ray incident on a surface and the normal to the surface at the point of incidence. It's a fundamental concept in optics and wave mechanics.

What's the relationship between "angle of incidence" and "angle of reflection"?

The "angle of reflection" is the angle at which a wave or ray bounces off a surface, and it's equal to the "angle of incidence" in specular reflection (reflection from a smooth surface).

What are some synonyms for "angle of incidence"?

Synonyms for "angle of incidence" include "incidence angle" and "angle of approach", though the latter might imply more about the movement leading up to the point of contact.

How does the "angle of incidence" affect total internal reflection?

Total internal reflection occurs when the "angle of incidence" exceeds a certain critical angle. At this point, the wave is completely reflected back into the medium rather than being refracted out.