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Question
A swimmer sees only hazy contours of objects when he opens his eyes under water, while they are distinct when using a mask. Why?
A swimmer sees only hazy contours of objects when he opens his eyes under water, while they are distinct when using a mask. Why?
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Solution
When light rays fall on the cornea of the eye, they refract if the medium outside the cornea is air. But if the medium outside the cornea is water then no significant refraction takes place as the refractive index of water is quite similar to that of the aqueous humor or vitreous humor. If there is no refraction, then the light rays will not converge on the retina to form an image. When the swimmer wears a mask, the medium outside cornea is air and hence the refraction takes place. So the light rays converge at the retina after refraction and therefore a clear image is formed.
When light rays fall on the cornea of the eye, they refract if the medium outside the cornea is air. But if the medium outside the cornea is water then no significant refraction takes place as the refractive index of water is quite similar to that of the aqueous humor or vitreous humor. If there is no refraction, then the light rays will not converge on the retina to form an image.
When the swimmer wears a mask, the medium outside cornea is air and hence the refraction takes place. So the light rays converge at the retina after refraction and therefore a clear image is formed.
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