What does the term 'normal' mean in the context of dealing with an optical surface?

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What does the term 'normal' mean in the context of dealing with an optical surface?

2006-10-25 01:25:52 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics

5 answers

Answers above are correct just need a bit of fine tuning. Normal means perpendicular to the optical surface at the point where a beam of light enters or being reflected from this surface.

2006-10-25 02:40:09 · answer #1 · answered by Edward 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

it is a line that is at an inclination of 90degrees to the optical surface..

2006-10-25 01:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by DC 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋

a line perpendicular to the surface of a mirror

here is a picture --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Reflection_angles.svg

2006-10-25 01:27:19 · answer #3 · answered by DanE 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

thank you everyone for all the answers!

2016-08-23 09:27:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Not sure about that

2016-08-08 17:57:48 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋