Title :
Upon reflection [computational geometry]
Author :
Glassner, Andrew
Author_Institution :
Microsoft Res., USA
Abstract :
The author looks at the geometry of the classic law of mirror reflection. This law tells us that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. It turns out that this little geometric truth can help solve another set of interesting problems called billiard problems, which describe the shortest path a billiard ball can take on a polygonal table. The author starts by looking at two different derivations of the law of reflection, one geometric and one analytic. He then looks at the problem of finding the shortest circuit of a billiard ball around a triangular table
Keywords :
computational geometry; computer graphics; reflection; angle of incidence; angle of reflection; billiard problems; computational geometry; computer graphics; mirror reflection law; polygonal table; shortest path; Geometry; Graphics; Optical reflection; Writing;
Journal_Title :
Computer Graphics and Applications, IEEE
