Light can distort shape through a phenomenon known as refraction. Refraction occurs when light travels from one medium to another, such as from air to water or from air to glass. When light encounters a change in the density of the medium it is traveling through, its speed and direction change.
The change in speed and direction of light causes it to bend, and this bending is what leads to the distortion of shapes. The amount of bending depends on the properties of the materials involved and the angle at which the light strikes the surface.
The bending of light can cause objects to appear shifted or distorted when viewed through different media. For example, if you place a straight stick partially in a glass of water, it appears bent at the water-air interface. This is because light traveling from the water to the air bends away from the normal (the line perpendicular to the surface). The bending makes the stick appear disjointed or bent.
Similarly, lenses use the phenomenon of refraction to focus light and form images. Convex lenses, like those found in magnifying glasses or camera lenses, converge incoming light rays to a point, which can make objects appear larger or closer. Concave lenses, on the other hand, cause light rays to diverge, resulting in the appearance of objects being smaller or farther away.
In summary, the distortion of shape by light occurs due to the bending of light rays as they pass through different mediums, leading to the perception of altered or distorted shapes.