Question

The refractive index of a liquid relative to air is 1.5. Calculate the ratio of the real depth to the apparent depth when the liquid is taken in a beaker.

Hint:

The refractive index describes how light bends when passing between different media. The apparent depth is always smaller than the real depth when light enters a denser medium.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1.5

Step 1: Understanding the concept of apparent depth.
When light passes from one medium to another (from liquid to air in this case), the apparent depth is smaller than the real depth due to the change in the speed of light. The relationship between the real depth \( d_{\text{real}} \) and the apparent depth \( d_{\text{apparent}} \) is given by: \[ \frac{d_{\text{real}}}{d_{\text{apparent}}} = n \] where \( n \) is the refractive index.
Step 2: Calculating the ratio.
Given that the refractive index of the liquid is 1.5, the ratio of the real depth to the apparent depth is: \[ \frac{d_{\text{real}}}{d_{\text{apparent}}} = 1.5 \] Step 3: Conclusion.
The ratio of the real depth to the apparent depth is 1.5.