Refraction causes the bottom of the swimming pool to appear
A. Farther down that it actually is
B. Closer to the surface than it actually is.
C. Neither
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
Correct Answer:
B. Closer to the surface than it actually is.
Explanation:
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different optical density. In this case, when light travels from water (denser medium) into air (less dense medium), it speeds up and bends away from the normal. This bending creates an optical illusion that makes objects submerged in water appear shallower than they really are.
How It Happens:
- Light Bending at the Water Surface
- When light rays reflect off the bottom of the pool, they travel upward through the water.
- Upon reaching the water-air boundary, they refract (bend) away from the normal as they enter a less dense medium (air).
- Perceived Image by the Human Eye
- The human brain perceives light rays as traveling in straight lines.
- Since the refracted rays diverge upon entering the air, our eyes extrapolate these rays backward in a straight line.
- This backward projection causes the bottom of the pool to appear at a shallower depth than its actual position.
Example & Real-Life Applications
- When you look into a swimming pool, the floor seems closer than it truly is due to this optical illusion.
- This effect is also observed in clear lakes, where the depth appears much shallower than reality.
- Fishermen use this knowledge when aiming to catch fish, as the actual position of the fish is deeper than where it appears.
Conclusion
Refraction makes the bottom of a swimming pool look closer to the surface than it actually is. This is why swimmers often underestimate the depth of the pool, and why pools can appear deceptively shallow.
Now, I’ll generate an image demonstrating this effect.
Here is the generated image illustrating how refraction causes the bottom of a swimming pool to appear shallower than it actually is. Let me know if you need any modifications!
