Three immiscible liquids of densities d1>d2>d3 and refractive indices μ1>μ2>μ3 are put in a beaker. The height of each liquid coloumn is h3. A dot is made at the bottom of the beaker. For near normal vision, find the apparent depth of the dot.

Hint: The apparent depth of the dot depends on the combined refractive index of the medium.

Step 1: Find the apparent depth for medium 2.

Let the apparent depth be O1 for the object seen from μ2, then;
                                   O1=μ2μ1h3
Since, apparent depth = real depth /refractive index 'μ'

Step 2: Find the apparent depth for medium 3.

Since, the image formed by Medium 1, O1 acts as an object for Medium 2.
If seen from μ3, the apparent depth is O2.

Step 3: Find the apparent depth of the object.
Similarly, the image formed by Medium 2, O2 acts as an object for Medium 3.
                               O2=μ3μ2h3+O1
      =μ3μ2h3+μ2 h μ1 3=h3μ3μ2+μ3μ1
Seen from outside, the apparent height is:
                                O3=1μ3h3+O2=1μ3h3+h3μ3μ2+μ3μ1
      =h31μ1+1 μ2+1μ3
This is the required expression of apparent depth.