Uploaded January 2016 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Light is refracted as it passes from one medium to another, as long as they have a difference in optical densities. As light is refracted, some light is reflected and also scattered - this gives a clear outline as to where the boundaries between both media are located. This is the case for pyrex in water, since both materials have significantly different refractive indices.
However, when pyrex is fully immersed in cooking oil, the outlines of the boundaries are difficult to locate because these two materials have similar refractive indices. Light does not undergo significant refraction, and significantly less scattering of light takes place.
Light is refracted as it passes from one medium to another, as long as they have a difference in optical densities. As light is refracted, some light is reflected and also scattered - this gives a clear outline as to where the boundaries between both media are located. This is the case for pyrex in water, since both materials have significantly different refractive indices.
However, when pyrex is fully immersed in cooking oil, the outlines of the boundaries are difficult to locate because these two materials have similar refractive indices. Light does not undergo significant refraction, and significantly less scattering of light takes place.
