- #1
Irfan Nafi
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1. The problem statement, all variables, and given/known data
A scuba diver is underwater. She looks up and sees a bird flying in the sky. Compared to its actual distance, the bird appears to be...
1. Closer
2. At actual distance
3. Further
n1sin(θ1)=n2sin(θ2)
The light from the bird is bent towards the normal when it enters the water so it should appear to be closer than it actually is, assuming the same height of the apparent position of the bird. The actual answer is that it is at the actual distance, but that would mean that the apparent height of the bird would be greater than its actual height. How can this be explained and are there any flaws in my reasoning?
A scuba diver is underwater. She looks up and sees a bird flying in the sky. Compared to its actual distance, the bird appears to be...
1. Closer
2. At actual distance
3. Further
Homework Equations
n1sin(θ1)=n2sin(θ2)
The Attempt at a Solution
The light from the bird is bent towards the normal when it enters the water so it should appear to be closer than it actually is, assuming the same height of the apparent position of the bird. The actual answer is that it is at the actual distance, but that would mean that the apparent height of the bird would be greater than its actual height. How can this be explained and are there any flaws in my reasoning?