Apparent Distance Calculator

Formula

The formula to calculate the Apparent Distance (AD) is:

\[ \text{AD} = \frac{\text{RD}}{\text{RI}} \]

Where:

\(\text{AD}\) is the apparent distance (ft)
\(\text{RD}\) is the real distance (ft)
\(\text{RI}\) is the refractive index

What is Apparent Distance?

Apparent distance is the perceived distance of an object when viewed through a medium with a different refractive index than air. This concept is crucial in optics and helps explain phenomena like the bending of light when it passes through water or glass.

Example Calculation

Let's assume the following values:

Real Distance (RD) = 10 ft
Refractive Index (RI) = 1.33

Using the formula:

\[ \text{AD} = \frac{10}{1.33} \approx 7.52 \]

The Apparent Distance (AD) is approximately 7.52 ft.