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

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Foundations and Connections
1st Edition
ISBN:9781133939146
Author:Katz, Debora M.
Publisher:Katz, Debora M.
Chapter38: Refraction And Images Formed By Refraction
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 41PQ: The end of a solid glass rod of refractive index 1.50 is polished to have the shape of a...
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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 

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