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when light moves into a different medium such as water it slows down and bends the rays towards the surface of the water you are looking at. The depth then appears to be less than it actually is.

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15y ago
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6mo ago

Refraction occurs when light traveling through different mediums bends due to a change in speed. When light passes from air into water, it slows down, causing it to bend towards the normal. This bending effect makes objects appear closer to the surface than they actually are, giving the illusion that the water is shallower than it really is.

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Q: Why does refraction make us see water shallow?
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What are the uses of refraction in daily life?

When you wear glasses, the light is refracted so that your eyes can see images better. Microscopes and telescopes use refraction to change the perception of images. When you look into water and see objects in the water appear distorted, that is refraction.


How does refraction affect underwater objects?

Refraction causes light to change speed and direction as it passes from one medium to another, such as air to water. This can distort the appearance and position of underwater objects when viewed from the surface, making them appear closer to the surface than they actually are. Additionally, the bending of light through water can create optical illusions and make objects appear larger or distorted.


How are rainbows and refraction related?

Rainbows are produced by the refraction, dispersion, and reflection of sunlight in water droplets in the atmosphere. When sunlight enters a water droplet, it is refracted, dispersed into its component colors, and then reflected internally before exiting the droplet. This process creates the colorful arc of a rainbow that we see in the sky.


How do you make light reflect off a mirror into water to make an rainbow?

To create a rainbow effect using a mirror and water, you'll need a source of white light (like sunlight), angle the mirror so that it reflects the light onto the surface of the water, and position yourself in a way that you see the reflection of the light in the water at a specific angle to see the rainbow. This effect occurs due to the refraction and dispersion of light as it passes through the water, creating the rainbow colors.


Is light refracted when you see a mirage?

Yes, light is refracted in a mirage. A mirage is an optical illusion caused by the refraction of light as it passes through air layers of different temperatures. This refraction can create the appearance of water, which is not actually present.

Related questions

Why does an object bend when put into water?

because of refraction , you see the object "bending"


What is the best way to check the buoyancy of pfd?

wear it in shallow water and see if it floats- such as a swimming pooleverything...(PotatoSalad67 says) the best way to test it is to take it out on the water and try it in shallow waters.


What light waves lets you see a sharp clear image of yourself in the water?

reflection


A stick partly dipped in water appers broken due to?

the phenomenon of refraction. When light travels from one medium (such as air) to another medium with a different optical density (such as water), it changes speed and direction, causing the light rays to bend. This bending of light can make the stick appear broken or bent at the water's surface.


Can you see someone in deep water due to refraction of light?

Yes, due to the bending of light underwater, objects can appear distorted or shifted in position. This can make it difficult to accurately determine the depth of the water or the exact location of objects below the surface.


Why do objects look distorted under water?

A ray of light will change direction when going out of water, into the air. This is called "Refraction".A ray of light will change direction when going out of water, into the air. This is called "Refraction".A ray of light will change direction when going out of water, into the air. This is called "Refraction".A ray of light will change direction when going out of water, into the air. This is called "Refraction".


Imagine that you are a fish underwater When you look up to the surface to the water you can see the sky and also the bottom of the pool How do you explain this unusual view?

Reflection and refraction. You see the reflection on the bottom of the surface of the pool. You see the refraction of light through the surface of the pool. This is the super short answer...someone else might provide more information but the reader can "google" reflection and refraction to find out more.


How does refraction affect the appearance of the sky?

The sky is blue because of refraction. Sunsets and sunrise are so beautiful because of refraction. If there was no refraction, we would see the sky as a black expanse.


What are the uses of refraction in daily life?

When you wear glasses, the light is refracted so that your eyes can see images better. Microscopes and telescopes use refraction to change the perception of images. When you look into water and see objects in the water appear distorted, that is refraction.


What is a good link to see pictures of light refraction?

A good place to see pictures of light refraction is on Google Images or science websites such as National Geographic or ScienceDaily. You can search for "light refraction" or "photos of light refraction" to find a variety of images showcasing this phenomenon.


How does refraction affect underwater objects?

Refraction causes light to change speed and direction as it passes from one medium to another, such as air to water. This can distort the appearance and position of underwater objects when viewed from the surface, making them appear closer to the surface than they actually are. Additionally, the bending of light through water can create optical illusions and make objects appear larger or distorted.


Why did they call the Bahamas the Bahamas?

It's from the Spanish word "bajamar" which translates into shallow water. The entire archipelago of The Bahamas is in relatively shallow water for being in the Atlantic Ocean. Google "bahamas nasa" in images and you'll see why this name is fitting...