Question

The most common type of mirage is an illusion that light from faraway objects is reflected by a pool
of water that is not really there. Mirages are generally observed in deserts, when there is a hot layer
of air near the ground. Given that the refractive index of air is lower for air at higher temperatures,
explain how mirages can be formed

Answer 1

Answer:

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.