Optics
Apparent Depth
Objects in a denser medium appear closer to the surface due to refraction.
Variables
dapparentm
Apparent depth
Allowed values: greater than 0
drealm
Real depth
Allowed values: greater than 0
nunitless
Refractive index
Allowed values: 1 or more
Your notes
0/5000
Check value
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- dreal = 2 m (Real depth)
- n = 2.5 (Refractive index)
Result: dapparent = 0.8 m
Other optics formulas with the same quantities
- Optical Path Length (Wave Optics) shares Refractive index
- Prism Minimum Deviation (Prisms) shares Refractive index
Where this formula is listed
- Optics formulas, under Refraction, alongside Snell's Law and Critical Angle.
- In the optics list it comes after Critical Angle and before Thin Lens Equation.
- Optics formula sheet, one of 34 formulas printed with symbol keys and SI units.
- The full formula index, grouped by category and topic.
Common questions
What is the Apparent Depth formula?
Apparent Depth is written d_apparent = d_real/n. Objects in a denser medium appear closer to the surface due to refraction. It belongs to Optics, under Refraction.
What are the units in d_apparent = d_real/n?
In SI units, d_apparent is apparent depth, measured in m; d_real is real depth, measured in m; n is refractive index (dimensionless).