Question

If we observe a pebble in a pool, the pebble would appear to be___ .

• A. deeper in water than it really is
• B. at the same depth as it really is
• C. nearer to surface than it really is
• D. invisible

Answer 1

The correct option is C

nearer to surface than it really is

One outcome of refraction is the illusion that things appear closer to the surface than they actually are. The pebble appears to be much closer to the surface than it actually is. Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another. The bending is caused by the difference in the optical density of air and water. As a result the refracted ray bends towards the normal produced by the incident ray and hence the image appears closer.