Question

Atmospheric refraction of light rays is responsible for which of the following effects? a. spherical aberration c. chromatic aberration b. mirages d. total internal reflection in a gemstone

Answer 1

Answer: b. mirages

Explanation:

A mirage is an optical illusion that occurs naturally due to refraction in the atmosphere. This phenomenon occurs especially in environments where the air exhibits large variations in its temperature, causing each of the layers with different temperatures to have a different index of refraction and therefore, the light rays will be diverted to the colder side.

Then, when this happens, displaced images of distant objects, or in the sky, are produced. In fact, sometimes it seems that distant objects are reflected on a liquid surface that is not real.