2007-08-16 02:58:59 · 11 answers · asked by Schumi 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
Cold air is denser than warm air, and has therefore a greater refractive index. As light passes from colder air to warmer air it bends away from the direction of the temperature gradient (when it passes from hotter to colder, it bends towards the direction of the gradient. If the air near the ground is warmer than that higher up, the light ray bends in a concave upwards trajectory. Once the ray reaches the viewer’s eye, the eye traces it as the line of sight, which is the line tangent to the path the ray takes at the point it reaches the eye. The result is that an inferior image for the above sky appears on the ground. The viewer may incorrectly interpret this sight as water reflecting the sky. In the case where the air near the ground is cooler than that higher up, the light rays will of course curve downwards, producing a superior image.
The 'rest' state of the Earth's atmosphere is with a vertical gradient of about -1 degree Celsius per 100 metres height. (The value is negative because it gets colder when you go higher.) For an actual mirage to happen, the temperature gradient has to be much greater. According to Minnaert[1] the magnitude of the gradient should be at least 2°C per meter, and the mirage will not get strong until the magnitude reaches 4 or 5°C per meter. These conditions can occur when there is strong heating at ground level, for example when the sun is shining on sand or asphalt.
2007-08-16 03:03:49 · answer #1 · answered by ghouly05 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i live in a desert country and well a mirage often happens when cool air is in contact with the hot sand...it form a watery/imaginary surface which looks like a lake....
2007-08-16 03:03:43 · answer #2 · answered by ~~FrEaK~~ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We live in a mirage only a scant few can see past it
2007-08-16 03:01:22 · answer #3 · answered by Morg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-13 09:16:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i AM a mirage...or a miracle..dunno lol
2007-08-16 03:00:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is your vision playing tricks on your mind. This is done often on film, in magic, and with less intent, in nature.
2007-08-16 03:03:05 · answer #6 · answered by Don,The 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the desert or use ur own imagination !
2007-08-16 04:07:11 · answer #7 · answered by crystal_heart100 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
light reflecting off of a surface at the right angle...
2007-08-16 03:01:08 · answer #8 · answered by yodadoe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its just ur brain playing games on u
2007-08-16 03:01:57 · answer #9 · answered by ▓▒░ ♫ Pump !t up ♫ ▓▒░ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
put bag over head and wait....
hey...what's up with the guy above me...LOL
2007-08-16 03:05:32 · answer #10 · answered by NEMESIS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋