Moderate

sun has elliptical shape when it rises and sets due to

Correct answer: A. refraction

  • A. refraction
  • B. reflection
  • C. scattering
  • D. dispersion

Explanation

As the sun rises or sets, its light travels through a greater thickness of the atmosphere compared to when it's high in the sky. This thicker layer of air causes the light rays to refract more significantly. Since the refraction is more pronounced for light rays passing closer to the horizon (through a thicker atmosphere), the bottom portion of the sun's image appears flattened, making it appear elliptical

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About Optics

Light is studied through reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization, linking ray behavior with its wave nature. Questions may involve mirrors, lenses, optical instruments, refractive index and image formation, while geometrical optics deals with rays and wave optics explains effects such as interference and diffraction.

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