reflective power
Definition
Noun: The fraction of incident light that is reflected by a surface. It is a measure of a surface's ability to reflect light, often expressed as a ratio or percentage.
Usage
"Reflective power" is a technical term used primarily in physics, optics, and materials science. It describes a specific, measurable property of a material's surface. It is often synonymous with "reflectance."
Examples
- The reflective power of a clean, smooth mirror is very high, approaching 100%.
- Scientists measured the reflective power of the new solar-reflective paint.
- A surface with low reflective power, like black velvet, absorbs most of the light that hits it.
Advanced Usage
- Albedo: In astronomy and climatology, the term "albedo" is commonly used instead of "reflective power" to describe the reflectivity of planets, moons, or large-scale surfaces.
- The high albedo of polar ice caps helps regulate Earth's temperature.
Variants and Related Words
- Reflectance (n): The scientific term most directly equivalent to "reflective power."
- The spectrometer measures the sample's reflectance across different wavelengths.
- Reflectivity (n): A more general property describing how well a material reflects radiation (not just light).
- The material's thermal reflectivity makes it ideal for insulation.
Synonyms
- Reflectance
- Albedo (for planetary bodies)
- Reflection factor
Antonyms
- Absorptance (the fraction of incident light that is absorbed)
- Absorptivity
Noun
-
the ratio of reflected to incident light
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