Understanding Refraction: The Mystery of the Immersed Pencil

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Refraction causes a pencil immersed in water to appear bent and larger due to the light bending as it moves from water to air. The perception of the pencil's length can vary based on the angle of observation, leading to different interpretations in various diagrams. Some sources suggest the immersed length appears longer, while others indicate it appears the same or shorter. The concept of a virtual image forming vertically above the object suggests that the immersed pencil should appear shorter. Understanding these discrepancies is crucial for grasping the principles of refraction and visual perception.
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Homework Statement



You are looking at a pencil immersed at an angle in water. The pencil appears bent and slightly larger because it appears closer. However, does it appear to be shorter, longer or the same size when viewed at an angle from the opposite side?
 
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Do you understand why it looks bent and larger?
 
ben133 said:
Do you understand why it looks bent and larger?

I know refraction really well. Now the point is this: in 3 different books the exact same diagram is different. In one the immersed length appears longer, in the second it appears the same length and in the third it appears shorter. I was always taught that a virtual image of an immersed object always forms VERTICALLY above the object. This would make the virtual image of the immersed pencil appear shorter. Should the image of the tip of the pencil appear vertically above the real tip making the immersed part of the pencil appear shorter?
 
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