A stone lying at the bottom of a pond appears to be placed at a higher point than where it actually is, due to which phenomenon?

A stone lying at the bottom of a pond appears to be at a higher point than where it actually is due to the refraction of light (Option D). Refraction occurs when light travels from one medium to another, such as from water to air. As light passes through the water, it slows down and bends away from the normal line at the water’s surface. This bending alters the perceived position of objects beneath the surface. As a result, the stone appears at a shallower depth than its actual location. This optical illusion is a common effect observed when looking at objects submerged in water. The extent of this apparent shift depends on the angle of observation and the refractive indices of water and air. Refraction is a key principle in optics, affecting the way we perceive objects in different media and is fundamental to understanding visual distortions in various environments.