3 ms·
I'd say the last model is necessary for explaining refraction, but not for describing it (where a simpler wave model suffices).
by jiggunjer 9y ago
I'd say the last model is necessary for explaining refraction, but not for describing it (where a simpler wave model suffices).
- adrianratnapala 9y agoHuygens explained refraction using classical wave velocities only. Though I agree there is a similarity between his notion wave-sources everywhere and path integrals. (Which is odd since path-integrals are a very particle oriented way of thinking). What Huygens' explanation leaves slightly mysterious, is why (beyond a mathematical coincidence) this result just happens to also give the minimum-time result. Path integrals explain that very nicely.