# Light bending in gravitational field

Please see the following question $$\rightarrow$$ link I have solved the first part, but instead of a positive sign, I get a negative one. This is due to that they take potential $$-\dfrac{GM}{r}$$. Now in part b of the question, I get the answer by simply differentiating the optical path length with respect to 'closest distance' and I get the required answer, but I don't really understand why. Can you please tell why is the differential of optical path length equal to the angle turned by the light? Or is it just a coincidence? If so, what should be the correct method for solving part(b)?

Note:- Make suitable approximations wherever necessary.

My solution:-

The Question:-

Page 2

Note by Rajdeep Dhingra
1 year ago

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