Question

What is the difference between marginal rays and paraxial rays?

Answer 1

While both paraxial and marginal rays are parallel to the principal axis, the basic difference lies in the distance between them and the principal axis. While paraxial rays are in close proximity to the principal axis , the marginal rays are further away.

These rays on refraction or reflection due to a spherical lens or a spherical mirror converge at or appear to diverge from different focii.

Answer 2

Answer:

Paraxial rays :

* The rays traveling very close to the principal axis & make small angles with it r called Paraxial rays.

Marginal rays :

* The rays traveling far away from the principal axis & fall on the mirror far away from the pole r called marginal rays.