- #1
UrbanXrisis
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There is an elliptical mirror, and this mirror is defined as [tex]\frac{x^2}{a^2}+\frac{y^2}{b^2}=1[/tex]. I am supposed to use Fermat's principle to show that the light leaving a point (-c,0) is focused to a point (c,0) where [tex]c=\sqrt{a^2+b^2}[/tex]
Fermat's principle state that light takes the shortest path. What I don't understand is why is the light not reflected when it hits the mirror? Shouldnt it focus back to (c,0)?
Fermat's principle state that light takes the shortest path. What I don't understand is why is the light not reflected when it hits the mirror? Shouldnt it focus back to (c,0)?