Geometric Optics

Sunday, 7 October 2018

7:20 PM

Geometric optics involve the study of the propagation of light, and uses the assumption that:

• Light travels in a straight-line path in a uniform medium
• Light changes direction when it meets the surface of a different medium
• Light changes direction in a medium if the optical properties of the medium are non-uniform

 

Ray approximation is used to represent beams of light.

These rays are perpendicular to the wave fronts

 

If a wave meets a barrier, it can be assumed that the wavelength is tiny in comparison to the diameter of the opening of the barrier