Practice Atmospheric Refraction (10.2) - The Human Eye and the Colourful World

Practise this section

10 questions

Flashcard drill
4 cards from this section. Quick, good the night before a test.
Exercise
6 questions · about 4 min · pass mark 70%. Hints available.
Sign up to start the exercise
Quiz
4 questions · about 3 min · pass mark 70%. Hints available.
Sign up to start the quiz

6 sample questions

Question 1.
What is atmospheric refraction?
Show hintHide hint
Think about how light behaves when it enters different mediums.
Question 2.
Why do stars appear to twinkle?
Show hintHide hint
Consider the distance and nature of the light source.
3Question 3.
What causes atmospheric refraction?
- Difference in air pressure
- Variation in air density
- Temperature changes
Show hintHide hint
Consider factors that affect light as it travels through air.
4Question 4.
True or False: Planets twinkle like stars.
- True
- False
Show hintHide hint
Recall the differences in distance between stars and planets.
Question 5.
Calculate how much earlier the sun will appear at a location at sea level on a clear day compared to an elevation of 2000 meters, where atmospheric refraction is less apparent.
Show hintHide hint
Consider how air density changes with elevation.
Question 6.
Explain how atmospheric conditions on a hot day can impact visibility and the apparent position of distant buildings or mountains.
Show hintHide hint
Think about the effects of heat on air density.

6 more questions in this section. Enroll free to practise them all.