Question

Shortest path is always the quickest path. Is this statement true or false ? Explain

Answer 1

False,
To understand the light rays travel, theFermat’s principle of least time is used. This principle states that the path taken between two points by a ray of light is the path that can be traversed in the shortest time but not the shortest path.
We can explain it in simple words. Imagine you and your friend are standing in front of large mirror and watching each other in the mirror. Now, though the physical distance between you and friend is much smaller, as you are not looking to each other directly, the light rays emitted from your friend chooses the path which traverse from his body to the mirror and then, after reflection, to your eyes. This path seems very longer than the direct distance but light rays only care about the time.
You see your friend in the mirror, exactly midway distance between you and friend. That’s the reflection point light chooses among the other points because it takes less time to travel to your eyes.

Hope you understand!