1.

(can be proved by Fermats principle)

Sol.

In a homogeneous medium the refractive index is the same everywhere.

o)s * o
So that Fermats principle becomes
B
o G et 1
C

That means the pathlength between A and B should be the minimum.

The minimum length between two points is a straight line so that in a
homogeneous medium, light rays travel in straight lines.
3. Snells law (can be proved by Fermats principle Exercise 1.1-1)
Sol.

Qbuimfohui>o2e 2 tfd T2  o3e 3 tfd T3 (1)

Pathlength is a function of 1 and 2 which are related by

e 2 ubo T2  e 3 ubo T3 e (2)

The pathlength is minimized when )w 0 wT2*\o2e 2 tfd T2  o3e 3 tfd T3^ 1 , i.e.

o2e 2 tfd T2 ubo T2  o3e 3 tfd T3 ubo T3)wT3 0 wT2* 1 (3)

From (2) )w 0 wT2*\e 2 ubo T2  e 3 ubo T3^ 1 , so that

e 2 tfd3 T2  e 3 tfd3 T3)wT3 0 wT2* 1 and )wT3 0 wT2* e 2 tfd3 T2 0 e 3 tfd3 T3 .

Substituting into (3), o2e 2 tfd T2 ubo T2  o3e 2\tfd3 T2 ubo T3 0 tfd T3^ 1 , so

that o2 ubo T2 o3 tfd T2 tjo T3 , from which o2 tjo T2 o3 tjo T3 , which is Snells

law.
1.1-2
(a)

A B

Q Q

Q1 P Q2

To show : AQB +AQB < APB

Q and Q are the arbitrary points chosen from the new mirror except P
For the triangle QBQ1 , --> Q Q1 + Q1 B > QB
AQ+QB < AQ +Q Q1 + Q1B path AQB < A Q1B

From the properties of elliptical mirror : A Q1B = APB AQB < APB

For the same reasons A Q2B>AQB AQB < APB

the greatest path from A through the new mirror to B is APB

By Fermats principle, light ray will travel along the path APB with maximum
time.
(b)

To show : the path through the right side of P are shorter than that through the point
on the left side of P

B
A

Q1

P
Q

From the triangle Q1QB Q1Q + QB > Q1B

A Q1 + Q1B < A Q1 + Q1Q + QB A Q1B < AQB

(1)Since A Q1B = APB by the property of the elliptical mirror,

it follows that AQB >APB
every path from A through the point in that part of the new mirror to B is greater
than through P

(2)From the proof in (a), we can know every path from A through the point at the right
side of P on the new mirror to B is shorter than that through P .

By Fermats principle, the light ray will travel in this path.

5.

Sol.
Lens in Air:
1 n2  n1 1 1 1.5  1 1 1
(  ) (  ) 0.041667(1/cm)
f n1 R1 R2 1 20  30
f 24cm

Lens in Water:
4
1.5 
1 n2  n1 1 1 3(1  1 )
(  ) 0.01041667(1/cm)
f n1 R1 R2 4 20  30
3
f 96.0cm
1.2-11
7.

Sol.