The mirage effect is caused by…?

Question

a- total internal reflection

b- polarization

c- temperature differences in index of refraction

d- differences in the speeds of different colors of light

Answer 1

Mirage is an optical illusion caused due to Total Internal Reflection

Answer 2

C - Temperature differences in index of refraction.

The way that light refracts off of gases is dependent on the temperature of those gases. So when you're looking out on a hot day and see distortion (aka a mirage) what your seeing is the light refracting off of bands of air which are very different temperatures. If the temperatures were only slightly different, the effect wouldn't be noticeable.

The same thing happens in the arctic where there are bands of extremely cold air which are mixed in with bands of warmer air.