Objects under water appear 60 percent larger than they do on land.

Objects under water appear 60 percent larger than they do on land.

• A. Not always
• B. True
• C. Depends on depth
• D. False

Answer: (D)

Objects seen underwater aren’t enlarged by a fixed percentage. What you notice comes from refraction at the water surface (and, if you’re wearing a mask, the magnifying effect of the air in the mask). This bending of light makes things look closer and somewhat larger, but the amount of magnification is not a constant value—it depends on viewing angle, depth, and whether you’re looking through a mask. Because there isn’t a universal 60% increase, the statement isn’t accurate.

Objects seen underwater aren’t enlarged by a fixed percentage. What you notice comes from refraction at the water surface (and, if you’re wearing a mask, the magnifying effect of the air in the mask). This bending of light makes things look closer and somewhat larger, but the amount of magnification is not a constant value—it depends on viewing angle, depth, and whether you’re looking through a mask. Because there isn’t a universal 60% increase, the statement isn’t accurate.