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Fermat's principle

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Fermat's principle, also known as the principle of least time, is the link between ray optics and wave optics. Fermat's principle states that the path taken by a ray between two given points is the path that can be traveled in the least time.

Fermat's principle - Wikipedia Jump to content From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Light rays follow quickest paths For other theorems named after Pierre de Fermat, see Fermat's theorem . Fig. 1 : Fermat's principle in the case of refraction of light at a flat surface between (say) air and water. Given an object-point A in the air, and an observation point B in the water, the refraction point P is that which minimizes the time taken by the light to travel the path APB . Seeking the required value of x shows that the angles α and β satisfy Snell's law . Fermat's principle , also known as the

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