Question

Why does reflected light from the sun or moon appear as a column in the body of water as shown? how would the reflected light appear if the water surface were per- fectly smooth?

Answer 1

This column actually appears due to the body parts reflecting the light of the sun or moon to the observer.
If the body is not perfectly smooth, only parts of this body would be at the correct position to reflect the light of the sun or moon to the observer.
If the body was perfectly smooth, it would act like a mirror where you can see the full image of the sun or the moon reflected on it.