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

[matt72lsu]

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

 

[kuruman]

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