The term normal vector is commonly used in the field of mathematics and physics. It refers to a vector that is perpendicular to a given surface or plane. Other synonyms for normal vector include normal, perpendicular vector, orthogonal vector, and surface normal. The normal vector is an important concept in calculus and vector analysis, particularly in understanding the gradient of a function or the curvature of a surface. In addition to its mathematical applications, the normal vector is also widely used in computer graphics and computer vision for applications such as image processing and computer-aided design. Ultimately, the normal vector is a fundamental concept with broad application across a range of scientific fields.