It's a Mirage!
Classical Mechanics
Level
1
What is causing the shimmering water-like reflection in the road?
This question is part of this set.
A uniform temperature profile in the air above the road
Magnetic disturbance in the atmosphere
A temperature gradient in the air above the road
Depletion of ozone layer in the atmosphere
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Mirages are created by refraction of the image. Unequal heating is the best solution out of the four as the difference between the temperature of the air causes the air to have different refractive index. [Hot air rises because it is less dense] So when light rays from the sun hits the intersection between the two mediums, it causes us to see objects or images that are closer or further than us.