Wave optics is a branch of optics that deals with the study of light as an electromagnetic wave. It explains the behavior of light in terms of its wave properties, such as diffraction and interference, rather than as particles. It is also known as physical optics.
Snell's Law of Refraction is a fundamental law in optics that describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and angle of refraction when a light ray passes from one medium to another. It states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the velocities of light in the two media.
Snell's Law of Refraction is used in various real-life applications, such as in the design of lenses for eyeglasses and cameras, the analysis of optical fibers, and the calculation of light paths in prisms and other optical devices. It is also essential in understanding the formation of rainbows and other optical phenomena.
The refraction of light according to Snell's Law is affected by two main factors: the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two media. The angle of incidence determines the amount of bending that occurs, while the refractive indices of the media determine how much the light ray will slow down or speed up as it passes through them.
The main difference between Snell's Law and the Law of Reflection is that Snell's Law applies to the refraction of light, while the Law of Reflection applies to the reflection of light. Snell's Law describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction, while the Law of Reflection states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.