The air above a heat source becomes hotter and less dense than the cooler air above it. This temperature difference causes variations in the refractive index of the air. As a result, the apparent position of objects seen through this hot air fluctuates, leading to the observed wavering or flickering effect.
How does the difference in temperature and density in the air contribute to the phenomenon of wavering or flickering of objects in our local environment?
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The difference in temperature and density in the air contributes to the wavering or flickering of objects through a phenomenon called atmospheric refraction. When air near a hot surface is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, creating pockets of varying temperatures. Light passing through these pockets encounters regions with different refractive indices, causing the light to bend at different angles. This bending or refraction of light leads to the distortion of the observed objects. The continuous changes in temperature and density create a dynamic environment, resulting in the characteristic shimmering effect seen in heat haze or above hot surfaces.