Explore the Energy Glossary

Look up terms beginning with:

normal incidence

1. n. [Geophysics]

The case in which a wavefront is parallel to an interface and its raypath is perpendicular, or normal, to the interface as the wave impinges upon the interface.

See related terms: angle of incidence,  raypath,  reflection coefficient,  Snell's law,  two-way traveltime,  wave

Diagram of reflection and refraction.
Diagram of reflection and refraction.