A geometric approach to Fermat principle as a demonstration of high school geometry and physical optics

Fermat's principle states that a light ray refracted across different media will traverse the fastest path as the physics for Snell's law. A geometric proof of Fermat's principle will be demonstrated as an intuitive approach to learn high school geometry and physical optics. It will b...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics education 2021-07, Vol.56 (4), p.45014
Main Author: Kao, W F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Demonstrations (Educational)
Fermat principle
Geometry
High School Students
Light
Mathematical Logic
Optics
Physical optics
Physics
refraction of light
Science Instruction
Scientific Principles
Snell’s law
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Summary:Fermat's principle states that a light ray refracted across different media will traverse the fastest path as the physics for Snell's law. A geometric proof of Fermat's principle will be demonstrated as an intuitive approach to learn high school geometry and physical optics. It will be proved explicitly by showing that all alternative paths need more traversal time to complete their journey.
ISSN:0031-9120
1361-6552
DOI:10.1088/1361-6552/abfb45