when you are on a road, far ahead you can see the heat distorting the visual. Whey does that happen?
2007-03-18 07:18:34 · 4 answers · asked by T-man 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
heat causes waves by expanding and contracting air molecules( increasing,or decreasing air pressure,,,,,this causes light to bounce up,down,jig left,jig right........optical telescopes are best mounted where air is thin & cold,,,,,,,,,,,computerized telescope mirrors have the surface area stuck with hundreds of vacuum sensors which measure and adjust the mirror surface according to local and upper air density variations.humans have the retina as their interior mirror that often goes out of round and then you need glasses
2007-03-18 07:38:03 · answer #1 · answered by quackpotwatcher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because warm air is less dense than cold air there is a refractive difference and it starts to act like a lens when there is a significant difference like the hot ait warmed by the heat from a black tarmac road surface compared to the free air temperature.
2007-03-18 07:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by Mike C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The air is heated unevenly and warm air rises. You are seeing the differences as the warm air rises at differing rates.
2007-03-18 07:21:39 · answer #3 · answered by science teacher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it looks like a puddle in the road? Good question.
2007-03-18 07:22:31 · answer #4 · answered by uuummk 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋