Snell's law proof using springs: Brachistochrone - Part 2 of 2

The video tutorial introduces Snell's Law, explaining how light bends when transitioning between media due to speed changes. It references Fermat's Principle, which states that light travels the fastest path. The tutorial discusses optimizing light's path by balancing time spent in different media, using Mark Levy's energy minimization approach. This involves a hypothetical setup with springs to derive Snell's Law, highlighting the principle of minimizing total energy.

What principle explains why light bends when it moves from air to water?

• Newton's First Law

• Fermat's Principle

• Hooke's Law

• Archimedes' Principle

Why is the straight line not always the fastest path for light between two points in different media?

• Light travels slower in water, so more time in air is faster

• Light prefers to travel in a zigzag pattern

• The shortest path is always the fastest

• Light travels faster in water than in air

What analogy is used to explain the path of light in different media?

• A pendulum swinging

• A ball rolling down a hill

• Springs with constant tension

• A car accelerating on a track

What does Snell's Law relate to when light travels between two media?

• The density of the media

• The temperature of the media

• The speed of sound in the media

• The angle of incidence and refraction

How is the stable state of the spring system related to Snell's Law?

• By minimizing the length of the springs

• By balancing horizontal components of force

• By balancing gravitational forces

• By maximizing potential energy