what causes the water mirage commonly seen on hot streets?

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what causes the water mirage commonly seen on hot streets?

2007-05-04 04:56:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology

3 answers

The air right next to the street is very hot and the air above it is cooler. That gives each a different refractive index ( speed of light) and where they meet, there can be a reflection. It's just like looking at the surface of a lake.

2007-05-04 05:05:42 · answer #1 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋

Gene is correct. Light travels faster in hotter less dense air. This causes a refraction (bending light through the substance), that is different from the surrounding air.

2007-05-04 12:08:05 · answer #2 · answered by JimZ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

HEAT

2007-05-04 12:01:41 · answer #3 · answered by robert e 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋