critical angle

crit·i·cal an·gle

C c

Definitions of critical angle words

noun critical angle the smallest possible angle of incidence for which light rays are totally reflected at an interface between substances of different refractive index 3
noun critical angle the smallest possible angle of incidence at which light rays are totally reflected 3
noun critical angle that angle of attack at which the flow of air around an airfoil suddenly changes, with an abrupt reduction in lift and an increase of drag 3
noun critical angle Optics. the minimum angle of incidence beyond which total internal reflection occurs for light traveling from a medium of higher to one of lower index of refraction; the angle of incidence for which refracted rays emerge tangent to the surface separating two media, the light traveling from the medium of higher to the medium of lower index of refraction. 1
noun critical angle Also called angle of stall, critical angle of attack, stalling angle. Aeronautics. the angle of attack, greater than or equal to the angle of attack for maximum lift, at which there is a sudden change in the airflow around an airfoil with a subsequent decrease in lift and increase in drag. 1
noun critical angle (physics) The smallest angle of incidence for which light is totally reflected from a boundary between one medium and a less refractive one. 0

before 1870

One of the 26% newest English words

First recorded in 1870-75

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This term is known only to a narrow circle of people with rare knowledge. Only 7% of English native speakers know the meaning of this word.

According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

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