manual

36
The image of the object on the surface of the water is due to
the phenomena of light refraction.
refracted ray
(diverted)
air
water
In this experiment, light rays go from the object, which is on the bottom to
the surface of the water, and then bend (are refracted) as they leave the
water and come toward your eye. This bending of the light makes it look
like the money is floating.
On a ver
y hot day
, it sometimes appears that ther
e is water
ahead on the road even though the road is completely dry.
Light from the sky is refracted by the hot air near the road.
The ‘water
’ you see is actually r
efracted sunlight.
Light travels more slowly through water than it does through air. As the
light changes speed, it gets refracted (changes direction a little).
Try this:
Get a bowl, a coin, and some water. Put the bowl on a table and then place
the coin inside the bowl. Back up until the coin disappears from view (it’s
hidden by the bowl’s rim). Stay standing in the same place and ask a friend
to pour water into the bowl. Suddenly, you’ll be able to see the coin again!
The light from the coin is bent (refracted) by the water.
REFRACTION is the change in direction of a light ray when it passes from
one medium (e.g. water) to another (e.g. air).