Fermat’s Principle
This interactive simulator explores Fermat's Principle in Optics & Light. OPL = n₁AP+n₂PB vs hit point; minimum = Snell path. Use the controls to change the scenario; watch the visualization and any graphs or readouts to connect the model with lectures, labs, and homework.
Who it's for: Best once you already know the basic definitions and want to build intuition. Typical context: Optics & Light.
Key terms
- fermat's
- principle
- fermat principle
- optics
- light
Live graphs
How it works
Between two fixed points in different homogeneous media separated by a plane interface, the physically realized ray is the one that makes the optical path length n₁ℓ₁ + n₂ℓ₂ stationary (a minimum here). Varying the breakpoint P on the interface traces a smooth OPL curve whose minimum coincides with Snell’s law.
Key equations
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