Re: [Phys-L] highway mirage

[Jeffrey Schnick <JSchnick@Anselm.Edu>]

Are you saying that if the effect is a result of a curved path resulting from continual refraction the image will be uninverted but that if the effect is a result of reflection the image will be inverted? In the first picture at
http://www.dewbow.co.uk/glows/mirage2.html
the image appears to be inverted.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Phys-l [mailto:phys-l-bounces@phys-l.org] On Behalf Of brian
> whatcott
> Sent: Friday, April 11, 2014 10:59 AM
> To: phys-l@phys-l.org
> Subject: Re: [Phys-L] highway mirage
>
>
> Surprising to see the extended discussion surrounding the effort to fit a road
> mirage into the ray optics paradigm. Some of it mentioned total internal
> reflection in this connection.
>
>      But wait!   Suppose I examine a situation with two adjacent
> parallel rays approaching a region of reducing refractive index at a slight
> angle. Call them A & B. The first ray curves gently away, and above it, the
> parallel ray closely follows the first ray's trajectory.
> Approaching they are ordered  A & B, departing they are also A & B.
>   Now suppose I consider two such rays approaching a mirror surface:
> first the lower ray reflects up, then the second ray likewise. In
> approaching the rays are A and B, on departing B and A.     An inversion
> of a familiar kind.
>
> Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Indian Territory.
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