Problem

If we rotate an ellipse about its major axis we obtain what is known as an ellipsoid of re...

If we rotate an ellipse about its major axis we obtain what is known as an ellipsoid of revolution. Show by using Fermat’s principle that all rays parallel to the major axis of the ellipse will focus to one of the focal points of the ellipse (see Fig. 3.35), provided the eccentricity of the ellipse equals n1/n2.

(Hint: Start with the condition that n2 AC′ = n1 QB + n2BC and show that the point B (whose coordinates are x and y) lies on the periphery of an ellipse).

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Solutions For Problems in Chapter 3