What is the difference between ?

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Geometric optics treats light as rays traveling in straight lines, focusing on reflection and refraction to explain image formation through lenses and mirrors. In contrast, physical optics views light as waves, exploring phenomena such as diffraction and interference where ray approximation fails. The distinction lies in the applicability of each approach; geometric optics is useful for everyday optical devices, while physical optics addresses more complex behaviors of light. Understanding these differences is essential for deeper studies in physics. Both branches contribute significantly to the overall field of optics.
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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.
 
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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 said:
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??
 


can oyu help me in my question ?
 


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.
 

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