Ray tracing is a computer graphics technique used to simulate the way light interacts with objects in a scene. It traces the path of rays of light as they travel from a virtual camera, reflecting and refracting off surfaces, to create realistic images. This method allows for detailed effects like shadows, reflections, and transparency. Unlike traditional rendering methods, which often use approximations, ray tracing calculates the color of each pixel based on the light's behavior. This results in high-quality visuals, making it popular in industries like film, video games, and architecture for creating lifelike images.