Fermat’s Principle

Fermat’s Principle, formulated by the mathematician Pierre de Fermat, states that light travels along the path that takes the least time between two points. This means that when light moves from one place to another, it doesn't just take a direct route; it chooses the quickest way, even if that means bending or changing direction, like turning at a corner. This principle helps explain various optical phenomena, such as refraction, where light bends when it passes through different materials. It is foundational in understanding how light behaves in different contexts.