Which of the following may be used to explain a mirage? I. Layers of air near the road surface have varying refractive indices in hot weather II. Road surfa...

Which of the following may be used to explain a mirage?

I. Layers of air near the road surface have varying refractive indices in hot weather

II. Road surfaces sometimes become good reflectors in hot weather

III. Light from the sky can be reflected upwards after coming close to the road surface.

Answer Details

The phenomenon of a mirage can be explained by options I and III. A mirage is an optical illusion that occurs when light rays passing through a medium with varying refractive indices create a false image of distant objects or even the sky. In hot weather, the air near the road surface becomes hotter and less dense than the air above, causing the light passing through it to bend and create a reflection of the sky or objects in the distance. This effect is known as a temperature inversion. Additionally, light from the sky can be reflected upwards after coming close to the road surface, adding to the illusion of a reflected object or the sky. Option II, which suggests that road surfaces become good reflectors in hot weather, is not a valid explanation for a mirage. Therefore, the correct answer is: I and III only.