Vertical rays are reflected off the graph of a function and the corresponding catacaustic is plotted. The envelope of reflected or refracted lines coming from a point source is called a catacaustic or a diacaustic, respectively. In this case the source is infinitely far above the graph and the lines reflect off the graph as off a mirror.
Contributed by: Michael Rogers (Oxford College of Emory University)
![[Snapshot]](HTMLImages/index.en/thumbnail_1.gif)
![[Snapshot]](HTMLImages/index.en/thumbnail_2.gif)
![[Snapshot]](HTMLImages/index.en/thumbnail_3.gif)
![[Snapshot]](HTMLImages/index.en/thumbnail_4.gif)
![[Snapshot]](HTMLImages/index.en/thumbnail_5.gif)
![[Snapshot]](HTMLImages/index.en/thumbnail_6.gif)
Embed Interactive Demonstration 
Browse all topics
