# Actual Depth and Apparent Depth

1. Jun 1, 2005

### chibi_lenne

Okay, I need a bit of a jump start with this question, I know how to find the Apparent depth normally, but I've never done actual depth and I can't really figure it out (*stupid*)

11. Frederika is sitting in her fishing boat observing a rainbow trout swimming below the surface of the water. She guesses the apparent depth of the trout at 2.0m. She estimates that her eyes are about 1.0m above the water's surface, and that the angle at which she's observing the trout is 45degrees....

b)Calculate the actual depth of the trout.

2. Jun 1, 2005

### Dr.Brain

Ok I hope you know something about "what refractive index" does ?

If we are looking from air into water then the refractive index m is related as:

$m=\frac{realdepth}{apparentdepth}$

First try to draw figure of above situation using correct laws for refraction and a good ray diagram will definitely help..show your work...help will follow..

3. Jun 1, 2005

### Ouabache

If your fuzzy on refraction you might want to take a look at this reference
If you read along, you will see they discuss depth perception.

I agree with Doc, to try and draw a complete diagram of the information given. It makes the analysis much easier.

4. Jun 14, 2005

### chibi_lenne

I decided to give my brain a bit of a rest on this problem and moved forward. I think I may have it, I'd still like to see if it's accurate or get help if it's completely wrong (which is very likely) Here's what I have so far:
Analysis:

n = 1.33 for water
n[2]= 1.00 for air

Actual depth= (sine{angle}i)(d)

tanZ = tan{angel}R = d/h, therefore d= (h)(tan{angle}R)

{Angle}R = (n)(sin{angle}i)/(n[2])

Solution:

sin{angle}R = (3.00)(0.071)/(1.00)
= 0.9404
{angle)R = 70.1*​

d = (3.0m)(tan70.1*)
= (3.0m)(2.762)
= 8.286m

Actual Depth = (sin{angle}i)(d)
= (sin45*)(8.286m)
= (0.7071)(8.286m)
= 5.859m​
Therefore the actual depth of the fish is 5.859m.

Hope this is right this problem is driving me nuts!!

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5. Jun 14, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

According to your diagram, that should be: Actual depth = $d/ \tan \theta_i$. Note that d = 2.0 m, since $\theta_r$ is 45 degrees.

6. Jun 14, 2005

### chibi_lenne

Now I'm confused...how is d = 2.0m? if I did the equation for actual depth with that as d, it would mean the actual depth is the same as the apparent depth?

Actual depth = (2.0m)/tan45*
= (2.0m)/(1.0)
= 2.0m​

Last edited by a moderator: Jun 14, 2005
7. Jun 14, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

This can be deduced from the statement of the problem: The apparent depth is 2 m and the angle is 45 degrees.

No.

No. Actual depth = $d/ \tan \theta_i$, not $d/ \tan \theta_r$

8. Jun 14, 2005

### chibi_lenne

okay, so I have to find the angle of incidence....so how do I do that? x.x

9. Jun 14, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

By applying Snell's law for refraction.

10. Jun 14, 2005

### chibi_lenne

duh *slaps forhead* alright I have to rearrange the formula, I feel stupid now. So it should be:

(ni)(sin{angle}i) = (nR)(sin{angle}R) so therefore

sin{angle}i = (ni)/(nR)(sin{angle}R)
???

11. Jun 14, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

Snell's law tells us:
$$n_1 \sin \theta_1 = n_2 \sin \theta_2$$

So:
$$\sin \theta_1 = (n_2/n_1) \sin \theta_2$$

12. Jun 14, 2005

### chibi_lenne

ooo I see, (forgot to put in an extra set of () ) so it should be:

$$\sin \theta_i = (1.00/1.33) (0.8509)$$
$$= 0.6398$$
$$\theta_i = 39.6*$$

??

13. Jun 15, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

Where does the "0.8509" come from??

14. Jun 15, 2005

### chibi_lenne

$$0.8509 = \sin45*$$

Or at least that is what I was doing....

15. Jun 15, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

Better double check that result!

16. Jun 15, 2005

### chibi_lenne

gah what am I doing wrong? x.x

17. Jun 15, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

Ah, now I see what you did... You have your calculator set for radians, not degrees.

18. Jun 15, 2005

### chibi_lenne

So it should be something like this?

$$\sin \theta_i = (n_i / n_R)\sin \theta_R$$
$$= (1.00 / 1.33 )(\sin45*)$$
$$= (0.7519)(0.7071)$$
$$= 0.5317$$
$$\theta_i = 32.1*$$

$$Actual Depth = (2.0m)/(\tan32.1*)$$
$$= (2.0m)/(0.6277)$$
$$= 3.18m$$

Making the actual depth of the fish 3.2m??

I hope this is it, or close anyway.

19. Jun 15, 2005

### Staff: Mentor

Looks good to me!

20. Jun 15, 2005

### chibi_lenne

Yay! Thanks so much! I really appreciate the help and for you putting up with my massive brain malfunction ^_^()