I have heard that light travels in the path that requires the least time. Fermat proposed this, and I have seen laws of reflection and refraction derived from it. But why is this principle true in the first case? How will a light photon know which path is the shortest path?
Please answer only if you know. 10 pts for best answer.
2007-02-22 03:06:53 · 1 answers · asked by astrokid 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
From Wikipedia:
"Indeed Fermat's statement does not hold standing alone, as it directly attributes the property of intention and choice to a beam of light. However, Fermat principle is in fact correct if one considers it to be a result rather than the original cause."
In other words, the photon which chances to travel the shortest path between points A and B (in the same medium) is the photon which takes the least time to get from A to B.
2007-02-22 07:56:34 · answer #1 · answered by Helmut 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋