Question

Mirages (such as the appearance of "water" on a dry, hot road) are caused by

A) differences in the air temperature of layers near the surface.
B) differences in the air density of layers near the surface.
C) refraction.
D) all of the above.
E) B and C only.

Answer 1

Mirages are caused by refraction due to the differences in the air temperature of layers near the surface.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most common type of mirage, such as the appearance of "water" on a dry, hot road, is caused by refraction due to the differences in the air temperature of layers near the surface.

When there is a hot layer of air near the ground in deserts, the refractive index of air is lower for air at higher temperatures. This causes the light rays coming from faraway objects to be bent or refracted as they pass through the layers of air with different temperatures, creating the illusion of a reflective surface like water. Thus, the correct answer is option C) refraction.