Question

Light rays from any light source travel outward in all directions along a straight path until they hit something. Which of the following best represents what occurs when light rays hit a glass of water?

1) The light rays will pass straight through air to water.
2) The water absorbs the light, and it will no longer be seen.
3) The light rays will bend at the boundary of air and water.
4) The surface of the water will reflect the light of the water.

Answer 1

The correct representation when light rays hit a glass of water is that they will bend at the border of air and water due to refraction.

Step-by-step explanation:

When light rays hit a glass of water, the correct representation of what occurs is that the light rays will bend at the boundary of air and water. This phenomenon is known as refraction and is due to the change in speed of the light as it moves from one medium to another with a different density. As light enters from a less dense medium (air) into a denser medium (water), it slows down and changes direction. The bending of the light ray depends on the angle at which it hits the surface of the water and the respective indices of refraction of air and water. If the light simultaneously reflected off the surface, some amount of it would also be reflected by the water's surface, but most of it passes through and bends due to refraction. Emphasis should be given to the concept of refraction over reflection or absorption in this context.