Mirage mirror on the wall

Authors
Kosa, T Palffy-Muhoray, P
Citation
T. Kosa et P. Palffy-muhoray, Mirage mirror on the wall, AM J PHYS, 68(12), 2000, pp. 1120-1122
Citations number
7
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
ISSN journal
00029505 → ACNP
Volume
68
Issue
12
Year of publication
2000
Pages
1120 - 1122
Database
ISI
SICI code
0002-9505(200012)68:12<1120:MMOTW>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
We discuss mirages formed near a sun-heated wall, and consider the underlyi ng physics. The temperature and refractive index variations in air near the wall are estimated, and a simple approximate picture of ray propagation is presented. Estimates of the thermal decay length and ray curvature are com pared with experimental observations. (C) 2000 American Association of Phys ics Teachers.