Why do I see the shadow of hot air coming out of my car?

Question

When I open my car door on a really hot day, I can actually see the shadow of hot air exiting my car. How is this possible???

Answer 1

As you know, the density of hot air is less than that of colder air. By changing the density, one also changes the index of refraction of a medium, for example, glass is much more dense than air, and has a much higher index of refraction. What all this means is that light rays are bent by passing through a medium of varying density. This results in some areas where light is focused and others where it is more diffuse. When you see how things become wavy through a haze of heat, it's the exact same phenomenon.

Answer 2

The heat goin out of the car is refracting the light, because there was heat buildup inside of your little car for how many hours you had it in the blazing sun.
Be sure you don't drive in it too long, you might get sick from the heat...

Answer 3

Radiation is a wave