Why does Fresnel's law only use 2 boundary conditions compared to Maxwell's 4?

AI Thread Summary
Fresnel's laws utilize only two boundary conditions derived from Maxwell's equations, which originally provide four conditions, two of which are redundant. The redundancy arises because for each polarization, one of Maxwell's equations is not needed, while another can be shown to be equivalent to one of the others. This simplification allows for a more intuitive understanding of light behavior at boundaries. To grasp these concepts fully, consulting an intermediate electromagnetism textbook is recommended for detailed explanations. Understanding the relationship between these equations clarifies the application of Fresnel's laws in optics.
yavuznuri
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We use only 2 boundary conditions in driving Fresnel's laws, whereas Maxwell's equations provided 4 conditions (2 were identical to other 2). What is the intuitive explanation for this redundancy? which boundary conditions turned out to be equivanlent to each other.
 
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For each polarization, one Maxwell equation doesn't enter, and one equation is equivalent to another. Just write the equatons and you will see this.
 
dear friend, i thank you a lot..but would you please give me detailed information..

sincerely
 
I think you should look at an intermediate EM textbook.
 
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