Question

LOTS OF POINTS

It’s starting to get colder at night, so Sam decides to remove the goldfish from the pond in his backyard. He tries to catch the fish with a net; however, even though he can clearly see the fish in the water, he misses it. He infers that he missed because the light is being refracted. What is causing the refraction?



1: The air and the water are different colours.
2: The air and the water have different densities (and media).
3: The water is reflecting the light.
4: The air is reflecting the light.

EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER

Answer 1

Light refracts whenever it travels at an angle into a substance with a different refractive index (optical density). This change of direction is caused by a change in speed. For example, when light travels from air into water, it slows down, causing it to continue to travel at a different angle or direction. Which would make him see the fish in a spot that its not at. So 2 is the correct answer.