Answer: Total internal reflection in hot air near ground.
- A Reflection of light off the hot road surface itself
- B Diffraction of light bending around dust particles in air
- C Total internal reflection in hot air near ground
- D Scattering of light by air molecules near the ground
Correct answer: C. Total internal reflection in hot air near ground
Explanation: Mirage: light from sky refracts and undergoes TIR in layers of hot air near the ground, creating apparent reflection.
Concave mirror ray construction: a ray parallel to the axis reflects through F, and a ray through F reflects parallel, locating the inverted real image. Image: Maxmath12, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Concept context
Reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors, total internal reflection.