Consider three media P, Q and R with refractive indices 1, 1.25, and 1.5 respectively. The medium Q having a thickness of 5 cm is placed between extended media P and R as shown in the figure. An object O is placed at the centre of medium Q. If viewed from medium P near the normal direction, the apparent depth of O is h1. For similar observation from medium R, the apparent depth is h2. The value of |h1 - h2|, in cm, is: [figure]
- 3
- 0
- 1
- 2
Answer
(3) 1
Solution
The real depth of O from each interface is d = 2.5 cm.
When viewed from medium P (nP = 1):
h1 = d nPnQ = 2.5 11.25 = 2 cm.
When viewed from medium R (nR = 1.5):
h2 = d nRnQ = 2.5 1.51.25 = 3 cm.
|h1 - h2| = |2 - 3| = 1 cm.
Answer: (3)