Question

The top of a swimming pool is at ground level. If the pool is 2.46 m deep, how far below ground level does the bottom of the pool appear to be located for the following conditions?

(a) The pool is completely filled with water.
m below ground level

(b) The pool is filled halfway with water.
m below ground level

Answer 1

Lets assume the refractive index is 1.33 for water.

a)

Just use the formula n = real depth / apparent depth.

1.33 = 2.46/apparent depth

Apparent depth = 1.849 m

Therefore, the floor of the pool is seen to be 1.849 m below ground level.

b)

Since the water is only half way up the pool, refraction will occur at the water surface half of the pool. Now, the real depth is only 1.23m.

1.33 = 1.23/apparent depth
apparent depth = 0.92m

Therefore, the total depth is 1.23 + 0.92 = 2.15 m below ground level.