The following simulation is created due to request from [url=http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?topic=1434.msg5455#msg5455]Re: Ray tracing (polygon: range from 3-32 faces)[/url]

The slider at the top can be used to adjust minimum intensity ray to be drawn/calculated in the simulation.

/htdocs/ntnujava/ejsuser/2/users/ntnu/fkh/polygonraysn_pkg/polygonraysn.propertiesFull screen applet or Problem viewing java?Add http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ to exception site list

The range of the X-Y coordinate system is between -100 and 100.
number of points =Please enter correct number of points
[b]The data points should be enter in clockwise direction[/b]!
X= enter , separated x coordinate
Y= enter , separated x coordinate
Laser Pointer x=,y=

How to calculate the reflected light from incoming ray?
Support the vector for the incoming ray is $\vec{a}$,
We need to know either the component of incoming ray in the normal direction $\vec{b}$ or the parallel component along the interface $\vec{b}'$ to find the reflected ray vector $\vec{c}$ with  $\vec{c}=\vec{a}-2\vec{b}=2\vec{b}'-\vec{a}$

If you know the unit vector $\hat{b}$ , then $\vec{b}=(\vec{a}\cdot\hat{b}) \hat{b}$.
If you know the unit vector $\hat{b}'$, then $\vec{b}'=(\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b})\hat{b}'$.

The refracted angle can be calculated with $n_1 \sin\theta_1=n_2\sin\theta_2$,
where $\sin\theta_1=\frac{\vec{a}\cdot\hat{b}'}{|\vec{a}|}$ or $\cos\theta_1=\frac{\vec{a}\cdot\hat{b}}{|\vec{a}|}$

The normal vector $\vec{b}=\vec{a}-\vec{b}'$.
The refracted ray can be calculated with $\hat{b}\,\cos\theta_2+\hat{b}'\,\sin\theta_2$

[img]http://forum.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/neditor/popups/pics/20100307_p22904.gif[/img]

You can study many different cases with this applet. Please check out attached files for examples.