Why does the surface of a smooth road appear wet under a hot sun?

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Solution

Under the hot sun the different layers of the air differ in temperatures, so their density differs causing a mirage effect.

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Statement 1: on a hot day a straight road from a distance appears wet. This happens because of refraction.

Statement 2: on a hot day the air above the road in contact with the road is hotter and less dense therefore has less refractive index than the cool air above it. When light comes through denser medium to rarer medium(here cooler air to hotter air) it is internally reflected which makes the road appear wet and shiny.

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