The refractive index of water is approximately 1.3330 at a standard temperature of 20°C (68°F) and a pressure of 1 atmosphere. This means when light travels through water, its speed decreases by a factor of 1.33 in comparison to its speed in a vacuum. Consequently, this reduction in speed leads to the refraction or bending of light as it passes through the water medium. The amount of bending depends on the angle at which the light encounters the surface of the water (angle of incidence). This optical phenomenon is responsible for the distortion observed when objects are viewed through water.
The Refractive Index For Water And How Light Behaves
