A small drop of water  that is free to fall in air will contract into a spherical ball.  Suppose that sunlight (this will be as if from infinity) passes into the drop.  Approximately where will an image of the Sun form?  Water has an index of refraction of about 1.33 for visible light, and to answer this question consider what happens when light passes through the first surface from air into the water.  Where does it go? Hint:  If in doubt about your math, try an experiment at home.  You can use sunlight or a distant flashlight to illuminate a suspended water drop.      At the back surface of the drop.     Spherical drops cannot form an image.     Close to the back far side of the drop, on the outside.     Close to the back side of the drop, on the inside

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

A small drop of water  that is free to fall in air will contract into a spherical ball.  Suppose that sunlight (this will be as if from infinity) passes into the drop.  Approximately where will an image of the Sun form?  Water has an index of refraction of about 1.33 for visible light, and to answer this question consider what happens when light passes through the first surface from air into the water.  Where does it go?

Hint:  If in doubt about your math, try an experiment at home.  You can use sunlight or a distant flashlight to illuminate a suspended water drop. 

   

At the back surface of the drop.

   

Spherical drops cannot form an image.

   

Close to the back far side of the drop, on the outside.

   

Close to the back side of the drop, on the inside 

Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Refraction of light
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
Recommended textbooks for you
College Physics
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
University Physics (14th Edition)
University Physics (14th Edition)
Physics
ISBN:
9780133969290
Author:
Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman
Publisher:
PEARSON
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Introduction To Quantum Mechanics
Physics
ISBN:
9781107189638
Author:
Griffiths, David J., Schroeter, Darrell F.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:
9780321820464
Author:
Edward E. Prather, Tim P. Slater, Jeff P. Adams, Gina Brissenden
Publisher:
Addison-Wesley
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…
Physics
ISBN:
9780134609034
Author:
Randall D. Knight (Professor Emeritus), Brian Jones, Stuart Field
Publisher:
PEARSON