Question

Why does a pencil partly immersed in water appears to be bent inside the water?

• A. Glass tumbler creates an illusion and pencil appears displaced
• B. Light does not travel in the same direction in all media
• C. Pencil and water react and the light direction changes
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Light does not travel in the same direction in all media

Light rays while entering a media change their direction depending upon the density of the medium. As water is a denser medium w.r.t. air, light rays from the pencil bends away from the normal. When this bent light reaches the eye, the pencil appears to be displaced or distorted.