Apparent Depth
Part of the Optics, Waves and Modern Physics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 6 of 53.
Light from a coin under water bends away from the normal as it leaves. Traced back, it seems to come from higher up.
Looking straight down:
h' = h / n
A pool 2 m deep looks 1.5 m deep.
Challenge
A swimming pool is 2 m deep, and water has n = 1.33. Looking straight down, how deep h_a does the pool seem?
Try it yourself
Test yourselfThis lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
All lessons in Optics, Waves and Modern Physics
1Reflection and Refraction
Reflection of LightThe Refractive IndexSnell's LawTotal Internal ReflectionDispersionApparent DepthRecap - Optical Fiber4Mechanical Waves
What a Wave IsTwo Graphs of a WaveWhen Pulses MeetInterferenceStanding WavesHarmonicsRecap - Guitar String