Refraction of Light Explained: Classic Bent Stick Demonstration #3498599 (License: Personal Use)

This vintage line illustration depicts the optical phenomenon of refraction: a straight stick (A) inserted into water appears bent at the air-water boundary (point C), while the actual submerged portion is at B-D. Light rays traveling from the submerged tip (D) refract at point C, bending away from the normal as they enter air, causing the virtual image to appear shallower and displaced along ray E. The diagram includes labeled points (A-E) to clarify the geometry of incident and refracted rays.

Commonly used in physics education, especially introductory optics lessons, to visually explain Snell’s Law and the perception of depth in water. Matches user intent for understanding everyday optical illusions or preparing classroom teaching materials.