Light Refraction Homework: Comparing Depths of Water-Filled & Empty Sinks

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the optical phenomenon of light refraction as it pertains to comparing the apparent depths of a water-filled sink and an empty sink. The consensus is that the sink filled with water appears shallower due to the bending of light, which causes objects submerged in water to appear closer to the surface. The correct explanation is option c, which states that water bends light, making the water-filled sink appear shallower than it actually is. This conclusion is supported by various physics resources, including the University of Louisville's course notes on the topic.

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Homework Statement


A kitchen has twin side-by-side sinks. One sink is filled with water, the other is empty.

1) Does the sink with water appear to be deeper, shallower, or the same depth as the empty sink?
2) Choose the best explanation from among the following:
a) The sink with water appears deeper because you have to look through the water to see the bottom.
b) The sinks are identical, and therefore have the same depth. This doesn't change by putting water in one of them.
c) Water bends the light, making an object under the water appear to be closer to the surface. Thus the water-filled sink appears shallower.


Homework Equations



none

The Attempt at a Solution


I'm thinking part 1 is shallower and part 2 is "c". I'm going off nothing more than a hunch. if i am correct, can someone explain why. and if i am wrong would somebody please walk me through the reasoning? thanks
 
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Most textbooks treat this and there are many explanations on the web. See for example

http://www.physics.louisville.edu/public/courses/phys111/davis/notes/lo_appdepth.html
 
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