Using Fermat's principle to prove the law of reflection

  • Thread starter Thread starter etothey
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Principle
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Start your own thread to ask a follow-up.
1 reply · 2K views
etothey
Messages
22
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Fermat’s principle states that the path of a light ray between two points is such that the time to traverse that path is an extremum (either a minimum or a maximum) when compared with the times for nearby paths. Consider two points A and B on the same side of a reflecting surface, and show that a light ray traveling from A to B via a point on the reflecting surface will take the least time if its path obeys the law of reflection. Thus, the law of reflection follows from Fermat’s principle.

Homework Equations



Triangle symmetry

The Attempt at a Solution


would this be a reasonable proof without involving to much maths? http://www.math.uiowa.edu/~stroyan/CTLC3rdEd/ProjectsOldCD/estroyan/cd/27/index.htm
 
Physics news on Phys.org