Snells Law (1 Viewer)

[Nooblet94]

I recently came across this question, which I thoroughly enjoyed doing;


"Using Fermat's Principle, prove Snell's Law."


The maths involved is actually quite simple (2/3 unit level), but it's an elegant result and explains the origins of something we're expected to mindlessly apply in prelim physics. Also, I apologise if the question's kind of vague, but the links should provide enough information to do it.

 

[Carrotsticks]

Do we need any principles taught in HSC Physics?

I ask because I didn't do it.

 

[math man]

your screwed carrot, it lies heavily on the principles of refractive indexes, gonerrrrr!!!

 

[Nooblet94]

You need to know what a refractive index is, but that's pretty simple.