2006-09-15 01:43:17 · 8 answers · asked by Kaliope 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The heat is moving air around you hood which reflects the light. In addition, the density of the air is different depending on the temperature which also changes the refraction of light. The heat itself is invisible.
It should be noted that heat is invisible to humans because we do not see light in the "infrared" range. Some animals have this ability while others use special organs, such as pit vipers, to sense heat.
Therefore, heat is literally not invisible. It is just that humans do not see light at that range.
2006-09-15 01:51:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting responses you have gotten so far, but the reason things look blurry is because the heat is changing the density and index of refraction of the air.
As an example; if you are driving along on a hot day you can see 'images' on the road surface way ahead on the road. This is because the light from distant objects is bent downward as it encounters the hot road surface and then back up slightly, so from your perspective it looks as tho you are seeing objects directly from the road surface. This effect is because we see in straight lines, but light doesn't necessarily travel in straight lines....if that makes any sense.
:)
2006-09-15 02:20:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When heat from your car heats the nearby air, lighter hot air goes up sending a rain of dust particles down. That`s how everything looks blurred.
2006-09-15 01:50:21 · answer #3 · answered by J.SWAMY I ఇ జ స్వామి 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The heat affects the density and humidity of the air. That changes its refractive index, which bends the light in funny ways.
2006-09-15 01:48:20 · answer #4 · answered by tgypoi 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the air is filled with water vapor. What you see is water condensation as the vapor reacts from the heat of the pavement or the engine in your car.
2006-09-15 01:48:09 · answer #5 · answered by wileycoyote_the_supergenius 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the heat is changing the humidity in the air from liquid to a gas, and you can see the vapor trails..refered to as 'heat waves'
2006-09-15 01:47:14 · answer #6 · answered by michael o 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the hot air is moving up..... it has a differnt density as it is lighter....
when light passes thru it it is bent.... due to different densities (refraction)
hence a wavy image is formed
2006-09-15 01:51:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://magegame.ru/?rf=d1e5ead1e8
2006-09-15 01:50:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋