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  2. Reflection (physics) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflection_(physics)

    Reflection is the change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated. Common examples include the reflection of light, sound and water waves. The law of reflection says that for specular reflection (for example at a mirror) the angle at which the ...

  3. Reflection (mathematics) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflection_(mathematics)

    A reflection through an axis. In mathematics, a reflection (also spelled reflexion) [1] is a mapping from a Euclidean space to itself that is an isometry with a hyperplane as a set of fixed points; this set is called the axis (in dimension 2) or plane (in dimension 3) of reflection. The image of a figure by a reflection is its mirror image in ...

  4. Reflecting telescope - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reflecting_telescope

    24-inch convertible Newtonian/Cassegrain reflecting telescope on display at the Franklin Institute. A reflecting telescope (also called a reflector) is a telescope that uses a single or a combination of curved mirrors that reflect light and form an image. The reflecting telescope was invented in the 17th century by Isaac Newton as an ...

  5. Optics - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optics

    e. Optics is the branch of physics that studies the behaviour and properties of light, including its interactions with matter and the construction of instruments that use or detect it. [1] Optics usually describes the behaviour of visible, ultraviolet, and infrared light. Light is a type of electromagnetic radiation, and other forms of ...

  6. Point reflection - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_reflection

    In geometry, a point reflection (also called a point inversion or central inversion) is a transformation of affine space in which every point is reflected across a specific fixed point. When dealing with crystal structures and in the physical sciences the terms inversion symmetry , inversion center or centrosymmetric are more commonly used.

  7. Diffraction - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffraction

    A diffraction pattern of a red laser beam projected onto a plate after passing through a small circular aperture in another plate. Diffraction is the interference or bending of waves around the corners of an obstacle or through an aperture into the region of geometrical shadow of the obstacle/aperture. The diffracting object or aperture ...

  8. Involution (mathematics) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Involution_(mathematics)

    Involution (mathematics) An involution is a function f : X → X that, when applied twice, brings one back to the starting point. In mathematics, an involution, involutory function, or self-inverse function[1] is a function f that is its own inverse, for all x in the domain of f. [2] Equivalently, applying f twice produces the original value.

  9. Symmetry operation - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symmetry_operation

    In mathematics, a symmetry operation is a geometric transformation of an object that leaves the object looking the same after it has been carried out. For example, a 1 ⁄ 3 turn rotation of a regular triangle about its center, a reflection of a square across its diagonal, a translation of the Euclidean plane, or a point reflection of a sphere through its center are all symmetry operations.