A tank is filled with water to a height of 16 cm. Find the apparent depth of a needle lying at the bottom of the tank as measured by a microscope. The refractive index of water is μ_w=4/3.

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(2) 12.0 cm. Given: real depth d=16 cm, refractive index of water μ_w=4/3. Idea: seen from straight above, the bottom of a liquid appears raised; the apparent depth is d/(μ_w). Dividing by 4/3 is multiplying by 3/4: apparent depth =16×3/4. So the needle appears to lie 12.0 cm below the water surface. It has been raised by 4 cm, a quarter of the real depth.

A tank is filled with water to a height of 16 cm. Find the apparent depth of a needle lying at the bottom of the tank as measured by a microscope. The refractive index of water is μ_w=4/3.

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