Explain to me the the physics behind this picture?

In summary, the physics behind the picture involves refraction. When light bounces off the white wall and goes through the water, it appears to come from the direction of the dark wall. The same happens when light bounces off the dark wall and goes through the water. However, our brain reverses the direction to make the image appear "right side up."
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  • #2
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.
 
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  • #3
Thanks!
 

1. What are the basic principles of physics involved in this picture?

The basic principles of physics involved in this picture include gravity, forces, and motion. Gravity is responsible for the objects in the picture falling towards the ground, forces are acting on the objects to cause them to move, and motion refers to the movement of the objects in the picture.

2. How does the angle of the objects in the picture affect the physics?

The angle of the objects in the picture can affect the physics in terms of the direction and magnitude of the forces acting on the objects. For example, if an object is at a steeper angle, it may experience a greater downward force due to gravity. Additionally, the angle can also affect the trajectory and speed of the objects as they move.

3. What role does air resistance play in the physics of this picture?

Air resistance, also known as drag, is a force that opposes the motion of objects through the air. In this picture, air resistance can slow down the falling objects and affect their trajectory. The size, shape, and weight of the objects can also impact the amount of air resistance they experience.

4. How does the mass of the objects in the picture impact the physics?

The mass of the objects in the picture directly impacts the force of gravity acting on them. Objects with greater mass will experience a stronger gravitational force and will fall faster than objects with less mass. The mass also affects the amount of inertia an object has, which is the tendency to resist changes in motion.

5. What other factors can influence the physics in this picture?

Other factors that can influence the physics in this picture include the surface the objects are falling on, the presence of other objects or obstacles, and the initial velocity of the objects. The shape and size of the objects can also affect their motion and interaction with other forces such as air resistance.

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