A flint glass plate (n=1.62) rests on the bottom of atank. the plate is 5.92cm thick (vertical dimensions) andcovered with water (n= 1.33) to a depth of 23.2cm. Calculatethe apparent thickness of the plate as viewed from above thewater. (assume nearlynormal incidence) Round your answer to 3 significant figures. A flint glass plate (n=1.62) rests on the bottom of atank. the plate is 5.92cm thick (vertical dimensions) andcovered with water (n= 1.33) to a depth of 23.2cm. Calculatethe apparent thickness of the plate as viewed from above thewater. (assume nearlynormal incidence) Round your answer to 3 significant figures.
Explanation / Answer
Top of plate... light from the top of the plateonly travels 23.2 cm through the water. So it has an apparent depthof 23.2 / 1.33 = 17.444cm below the surface of the water The light from the bottom of the plate travels 5.92 cm throughthe glass plus 23.2 cm through the water, so it has an apparentdepth of 23.2 / 1.33 + 5.92 /1.62 = 21.098 cm So the apparent thickness of the plate is 21.098 - 17.444 = 3.654