Mirage: Why Does It Look Like There's Water On The Road?

The video explains the optical phenomenon of mirages, where distant water-like reflections appear on roads due to light refraction. Light travels at different speeds in various media, affected by temperature and density. On hot days, roads heat up, creating layers of warm air that refract light, causing the illusion of water. This can mislead travelers, especially in deserts, as the mirage mimics real water bodies.

What optical phenomenon makes a road appear wet on a hot day?

• Diffraction

• Reflection

• Refraction

• Mirage

What happens to the speed of light when it moves from air to water?

• It remains the same

• It increases

• It stops

• It decreases

What is the term for the ratio by which light slows down in a medium?

• Photon interaction

• Refractive index

• Light velocity

• Optical density

Why do mirages often appear on roads during hot days?

• The air above the road is cooler

• The air above the road is warmer and less dense

• The road absorbs less heat

• The road reflects the sky

What makes mirages particularly dangerous for travelers in deserts?

• They cause dehydration

• They create the illusion of water

• They increase the temperature

• They block the view of the horizon