What is the difference between ?

[physics love]

what is the difference between ...??

hi;I am a new member here. I hope to benefit from you.

I love physics very much but I don't know a lot about this science,so I am very sorry if my question is not good!

my question now about the difference between studying the geometric optics and physical optics ??

and thanks a lot in advance.

 

[jtbell]

In geometrical optics, you analyze light as "rays" which travel in straight lines until they are reflected or refracted at a surface, and study how images are formed by lenses, mirrors, etc. In physical optics, you analyze light as waves, and study diffraction, interference, etc.

 

[physics love]

In geometrical optics, you analyze light as "rays" which travel in straight lines until they are reflected or refracted at a surface, and study how images are formed by lenses, mirrors, etc. In physical optics, you analyze light as waves, and study diffraction, interference, etc.

jtbell thanks a lot for your reply

but can I ask about the difference between dealing with light as "rays" or as waves??

 

[physics love]

can oyu help me in my question ?

 

[Naty1]

Hi Love: "I am very sorry if my question is not good!"

your question IS good if you learn by having asked it...


Try these on for size:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometric_optics

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_optics

In physics, physical optics, or wave optics, is the branch of optics which studies interference, diffraction, polarization, and other phenomena for which the ray approximation of geometric optics is not valid.

If you want to go further,

try searching in wikipedia for "Maxwell's equations"...

light is an electromagnetic wave and these equations for the classical mathematical theory.