Why do straight objects appear to bend in water?

Appearances can sometimes be deceptive. This simple experiment is a good example. Put a pencil into a glass of water and you will notice that it appears to bend. Take it out again and of course it is perfectly straight – as it always was. But back in the water it bends again. So what is going on?

Scientifically is caused by a change in the speed at Refraction is caused by a change in the speed at which light travels through different transparent substances. Light travels more slowly through water than it does through air. Because of this it changes direction slightly. Objects like the pencil, part of which is in the air and part of which is in the water, appear to bend.

Refraction also makes us miss things we try to pick up underwater. Again it is the ‘bending’ of the light which appears to do this. Objects appear slightly to one side of where they really are. We aim for where they appear to be and are a little off target.

 

Picture Credit : Google

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