The scientific study of the behavior of light is called optics. Optics encompasses the study of light propagation, the interaction of light with matter, and the instruments used to manipulate and analyze light. This field includes both geometrical optics, which deals with the ray aspect of light, and wave optics, which focuses on its wave-like properties. Applications of optics are extensive, spanning fields such as photography, astronomy, telecommunications, and medicine, making it a critical area of study.