Fermat Principle

Related java applets

The path of a ray of light between two points is the path that minimizes the travel time.
This java applet let you visualize the above statement.
There are two region with different color (one for air and one for water).
The white dot is the light source.
    The program show all possible paths for light emitted from the point source,
    reach the air/water interface then all heading towards blue/green dot.
The real path which arrive at either blue or green dot, is the path that has the smallest traveling time. (shown as white paths Fig. A).



Usage¡G


Your suggestions are highly appreciated! Please click hwang@phy03.phy.ntnu.edu.tw

Author¡GFu-Kwun Hwang, Dept. of physics, National Taiwan Normal University
Last modified :  More physics related java applets