Which among the following statements on mirage is false?
- It is an optical illusion
- It is the real image of the sky
- It appears on the distant road
- It appears during hot summer day
The Correct Option is B
Approach Solution - 1
The phenomenon of a mirage is often encountered in physics, specifically in the study of optics and atmospheric conditions. A mirage occurs when light rays are bent due to refraction as they pass through air layers of different temperatures. This can create the illusion of water or a mirror-like surface on the road ahead, especially on hot days.
Let us examine the provided statements regarding mirages and determine which is false:
- It is an optical illusion.
- It is the real image of the sky.
- It appears on the distant road.
- It appears during hot summer day.
To solve this, we'll analyze each statement:
- Mirages are indeed optical illusions. They are not real images, but rather optical phenomena caused by the bending of light rays.
- The statement It is the real image of the sky is false. A mirage is not a real image; it's an illusion created by the refraction of light, making the sky appear to be reflected on the road.
- Mirages commonly appear on distant roads due to the heat from the road surface affecting the air above it, causing the light refraction that produces the mirage effect.
- Mirages appear during hot summer days because the temperature difference between the ground and the air causes sufficient bending of light to create the illusion.
Therefore, the statement that is false among those provided is: It is the real image of the sky.
Approach Solution -2
Explanation:
- It is an optical illusion – True, as it tricks the eyes into seeing water or reflections where there are none.
- It appears on the distant road – True, commonly observed on highways during hot weather.
- It appears during hot summer day – True, caused by the refraction of light in layers of air at different temperatures.
- It is the real image of the sky – False, it is a virtual image caused by the bending of light rays, not a real one.
Correct Answer: It is the real image of the sky
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