Explain to me the the physics behind this picture?

[fishndag]

Can someone please explain to me the the physics behind this picture?
I think it has something to do with refraction.
If someone could explain I would greatly appreciate it!
Thanks in advance
http://www.aapt.org/contests/pc07full.cfm?Meeting=sm07&Category=Contrived&Placing=1

 

[ehrenfest]

Yes, it has everything to do with refraction.

Light bounces off the white wall and if the glass were not there, the light would reach your eyes in the same pattern as the coloring of the wall.

However, when light bounces off the white wall and goes through the water, refraction redirects it so that it appears to come from the direction of the dark wall. Similarly when light bounces off the dark wall and goes through the water, refraction redirects it so that when it hits your eyes, it appears to come from the direction of the white wall.

Of course, your brain does some direction reversal to make everything "right side up", so that image pattern is not what goes directly into you eyes.

 

[fishndag]

Thanks!