About this Simulation

This simulation models how light refracts when passing between water and air, causing fish to appear displaced from their actual position. Learners can adjust the observer's eye position, water depth, and refractive indices to investigate how light bending affects what we see underwater and understand the physics behind optical illusions.

Learning objectives: Understand the principle of refraction and how light bends at different media boundaries | Apply Snell's law to predict apparent object displacement in water | Explain why objects underwater appear closer to the surface than they actually are