Consider the following natural phenomena:1. Terrestrial heating2. Reflection of light3. Refraction of light4. Diffraction of light Due to which of these phenomena is a mirage formed?
✓ Correct answer: c) 1 and 3
ExplanationA mirage is primarily caused by terrestrial heating and the refraction of light.Mirage causes deceptive appearance of a distant object or objects caused by light ray bending (refraction) in different density layers of air.Terrestrial Heating: The ground is intensely heated by the sun (such as a hot road or desert).This heats the air near the surface, making it less dense than the cooler air above.The temperature gradient creates a gradient in the refractive index of the air.Refraction of Light: Light from the sky or distant objects passes through the layers of air with varying temperatures and densities.The light bends (refracts) as it moves from cooler, denser air to hotter, less dense air.This bending creates the illusion of water or a mirrored surface on the ground.262
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