THE HUMAN EYE AND THE

COLOURFUL WORLD

CLASS X SCIENCE CHAPTER 11

 ATMOSPHERIC REFRACTION
You might have observed the apparent random
wavering or flickering of objects seen through a
turbulent stream of hot air rising above a fire or a
radiator. The air just above the fire becomes hotter
than the air further up. The hotter air is lighter
(less dense) than the cooler air above it, and has a
refractive index slightly less than that of the cooler
air. Since the physical conditions of the refracting
medium (air) are not stationary, the apparent
position of the object, as seen through the hot
air, fluctuates. This wavering is thus an effect of
atmospheric refraction (refraction of light by the
earth’s atmosphere) on a small scale in our local
environment.
i) Twinkling of stars :-
The twinkling of stars is due to the atmospheric refraction
of star light and due to the changing in the position of the
stars and the movement of the layers of the atmosphere. So
the light from the stars is sometimes brighter and
sometimes fainter and it appears to twinkle.
Planets are closer to the earth than stars. The light from
stars are considered as point source of light and the light
from planets are considered as extended source of light. So
the light from the planets nullify the twinkling effect.
ii) Advance sunrise and delayed sunset :-
Apparent position Apparent position

Atmosphere
Horizon Horizon
Sunset Sunrise
Observer

Earth
Real position Real position

The sun is visible to us about 2 minutes before sunrise

and about two minutes after sunset due to atmospheric
refraction.
The apparent flattening of the sun’s disc at sunrise and
at sunset is also due to atmospheric refraction.
 SPIRAL LEVEL 1
Q9 The sun is visible to us about two minutes
before actual sunrise and about two minutes
after the actual sunset. Give reason.
Ans The Sun is visible to us about 2 minutes
before the actual sunrise, and about 2 minutes
after the actual sunset because of atmospheric
refraction. By actual sunrise, we mean the
actual crossing of the horizon by the Sun.
Figure shows the actual and apparent positions
of the Sun with respect to the horizon. The
time difference between actual sunset and the
apparent sunset is about 2 minutes.
LINKS

AMOSPHERIC REFRACTION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfyxFQwVT3s

TWINKILING OF STARS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRIuMK8G1qs

EARLY AND DELAYED SUNRISE SUNSET

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9y5nwok1to