everyday science MCQ #49235

A swimmer looking down into a swimming pool from the edge notices the pool appears much shallower than its actual 3-metre depth. This optical illusion occurs because

everyday science MCQ #49235

  1. Question 1

    Q1. A swimmer looking down into a swimming pool from the edge notices the pool appears much shallower than its actual 3-metre depth. This optical illusion occurs because

    • A) the blue color of pool water absorbs light making the bottom appear closer to the surface
    • B) the water surface acts as a mirror reflecting part of the light and creating a false image
    • C) light rays from the pool bottom bend away from the normal as they pass from denser water into less dense air causing the apparent position of the bottom to shift upward
    • D) the chlorine in pool water reduces light absorption making colors appear washed out and distances compressed

    Answer: light rays from the pool bottom bend away from the normal as they pass from denser water into less dense air causing the apparent position of the bottom to shift upward

    Explanation: When light rays travel from the optically denser water to the less dense air, they bend away from the normal at the interface (refraction), so the rays reaching the observer's eye appear to come from a point closer to the surface than the actual bottom.