A bird flying in sky and a fish in water look at each other. For which of them, the distance between them seem to be less?

Options

A. Bird
B. Fish
C. Same for both
D. Cannot be determined

Explanation

To solve the problem of determining whether the bird or the fish perceives a lesser distance between them, we can analyze the situation using the principles of refraction of light. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Identify the mediums
- The bird is in the air (a rarer medium).
- The fish is in the water (a denser medium).

### Step 2: Understand the concept of apparent distance
- When an object is viewed from a different medium, the distance appears different due to refraction.
- The apparent distance is affected by the refractive index of the mediums involved.

### Step 3: Refractive index
- The refractive index (μ) of water with respect to air is greater than 1 (approximately 1.33).
- When light travels from a denser medium (water) to a rarer medium (air), it bends away from the normal.

### Step 4: Analyze the situation
- Since the fish is in water (denser medium) and the bird is in air (rarer medium), the fish will see the bird at an apparent distance that is less than the actual distance.
- Conversely, the bird will see the fish at an apparent distance that is greater than the actual distance.

### Step 5: Conclusion
- Therefore, the fish perceives the distance to the bird as less compared to how the bird perceives the distance to the fish.

### Final Answer
The fish sees the bird as being closer than the bird sees the fish.

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