- #1
ravsterphysics
- 57
- 1
Homework Statement
https://www.highlightskids.com/media/kids/highlightskids/images/thumbs/sciQuestions/sq1012_put-a-straw-in-a-glass-of-water_main.jpg
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
From my understanding, this has to do with refraction. Here's my answer:
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Light usually travels in a straight line to our eyes but if the light goes through a different medium, it changes direction.
So as we look at the straw in the glass, the light from the top part of the straw travels straight to our eyes whereas the part of the straw that's underwater has light that is refracted since it goes from air to water, back to air again, so the light travels to the eye at a slightly different angle therefore making the straw look bent.
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The part that's not quite clicking with me is, so what if the angle to our eyes has changed? Why does that mean the straw now looks bent?
I've been through a few videos but they don't seem to describe why exactly this happens.
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