MP Board · Class 10 · Science · Light – Reflection and RefractionWhy does a pencil immersed obliquely in water appear bent at the water surface?

A pencil immersed obliquely in water appears bent at the interface of water and air due to the phenomenon of refraction of light. Light rays coming from the submerged portion of the pencil travel from a denser medium, which is water, into a rarer medium, which is air. As these rays cross the boundary, they bend away from the normal. When these refracted rays reach our eyes, they appear to originate from a position higher than their actual physical location, making the immersed part look raised and bent.