angle of incidence

angle of incidence

angle of incidence

n. The angle formed by a ray or wave incident on a surface and a line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.

angle of incidence

n 1. (General Physics) the angle that a line or beam of radiation makes with the normal to the surface at the point of incidence 2. (Aeronautics) another name for angle of attack 3. (Aeronautics) Also called: rigging angle of incidence the angle between the chord line of an aircraft wing or tailplane and the aircraft's longitudinal axis

an′gle of in′cidence

n. 1. Also called incidence. the angle that a ray, as of light, makes with a normal to a surface at the point where the ray meets the surface. 2. (on an airplane) the angle, usu. fixed, between a wing or tail root chord and the axis of the fuselage. [1620]

angle of incidence

The angle formed by a ray or wave, as of light or sound, striking a surface and a line perpendicular to the surface at the point of impact. See more at wave.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

angle of incidence - the angle that a line makes with a line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidenceincidence angleangle - the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radiansangle of attack - the acute angle between the direction of the undisturbed relative wind and the chord of an airfoilcritical angle - the smallest angle of incidence for which light is totally reflected