English Explanatory Dictionary

critical angle

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The angle of incidence beyond which light traveling through a medium experiences total internal reflection upon encountering a boundary with a less refractive medium.
  2. The angle of attack beyond which an airfoil stalls, experiencing a decrease in lift and increase in drag due to separation of airflow from the upper surface of the airfoil.
  3. The angle beyond which a ramp or a set of stairs is considered uncomfortable or unsafe.

Word forms

critical angle critical angles

Synonyms

alpha max stall angle

Related words

Snell's law total internal reflection
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