CBSE Class 10 Science 2019 · Paper 31/2/3 · Question 3
What is atmospheric refraction ? List two phenomena which can be explained on the basis of atmospheric refraction.
Answer
Bending of light by the atmosphere; it explains the twinkling of stars and advance sunrise and delayed sunset.
Atmospheric refraction is the refraction (bending) of light by the Earth's atmosphere, whose optical density (refractive index) changes gradually from layer to layer because the density and temperature of the air change. Two phenomena explained by it:
(i) The twinkling of stars;
(ii) Advance sunrise and delayed sunset: the Sun is seen about minutes before it actually rises and for about minutes after it actually sets.
(Other correct examples, such as stars appearing higher than they really are, also earn credit.)
🔒 Step-by-step solution
Sign up free to see every step of how it is worked out.
From the board paper
More questions from The Human Eye and the Colourful World
Class 10 Science — every question with an expert-verified, step-by-step solution.
- Q1 The human eye can focus on objects at different distances by adjus…
- Q1 What is meant by power of accommodation of the eye?
- Q2 The human eye forms the image of an object at its
- Q2 A person with a myopic eye cannot see objects beyond 1.2 m distinc…
- Q3 The least distance of distinct vision for a young adult with no…
- Q3 What is the far point and near point of the human eye with norm…
- Q4 The change in focal length of an eye lens is caused by the action…
- Q4 A student has difficulty reading the blackboard while sitting in t…
- Q5 A person needs a lens of power -5.5 dioptres for correcting his dista…
- Q6 The far point of a myopic person is 80 cm in front of the eye. W…
- Q7 Make a diagram to show how hypermetropia is corrected. The near po…
- Q8 Why is a normal eye not able to see clearly the objects placed…
All 281 questions on The Human Eye and the Colourful World → Browse all Science chapters →