Question

The mirage in desert is caused because :

• A. the refractive index of atmosphere does not change with height
• B. there is effect of height on refractive index
• C. light is reflected by the sand particles
• D. none of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

there is effect of height on refractive index

• Mirages happen when the ground is very hot and the air is cool.
• The hot ground warms a layer of air just above the ground.
• When the light moves through the cold air and into the layer of hot air it is refracted (bent).
• A layer of very warm air near the ground refracts the light from the sky nearly into a U-shaped bend
• Hence the option B is the right answer