Angle of Incident

Angle of incident refers to the angle at which a beam of light or any other type of wavefront meets a surface. It is the angle between the incident ray and the normal line drawn at the point of incidence. The angle of incident is an important concept in physics as it plays a crucial role in determining how waves interact with surfaces.

Explanation

When a wavefront meets a surface, it can be absorbed, reflected, transmitted, or refracted depending on the nature of the surface and the angle of incidence. The angle of incidence is a measure of how much the wavefront deviates from the perpendicular to the surface.

Types of Angles of Incidence

There are two types of angles of incidence:

1. Normal Incidence: When the incident ray is perpendicular to the surface, the angle of incidence is 0°. This is known as normal incidence.

2. Oblique Incidence: When the incident ray is not perpendicular to the surface, the angle of incidence is greater than 0°. This is known as oblique incidence.

Applications in Optics

The angle of incidence is an important concept in optics as it determines how light interacts with surfaces. For example, when light falls on a mirror, the angle of incidence determines the angle at which the light is reflected. If the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, the light will be totally internally reflected.

Conclusion

The angle of incidence is a fundamental concept in physics that plays a crucial role in determining how waves interact with surfaces. It is the angle between the incident ray and the normal line drawn at the point of incidence. The angle of incidence is used extensively in optics to determine how light interacts with surfaces.

When light bounces back or is sent back from mirror or screen the angle made is angle of refraction or reflection respectively.....bt from where the light ray or the incident ray goes to get reflect or refracts from mirror is angle of incidence denoted as 'i'