Class 12 Exam  >  Class 12 Questions  >  Just before setting, the sun may appear to be... Start Learning for Free
Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:

  • a)
    Refraction

  • b)
    Dispersion

  • c)
    Reflection

  • d)
    Diffraction

Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens...
Refraction of light ray through the atmosphere may cause different magnification in mutually perpendicular directions.



Sunlight enters the Earth's atmosphere from the vacuum of space. The refractive index of air with respect to vacuum is 1.0029. This means that the speed of light in air is 1.0029 times slower than the speed of light in vacuum. This causes the light rays to bend towards the normal (refraction). 



Free Test
Community Answer
Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens...
Explanation:

The sun appears to be elliptical just before setting due to refraction of light. Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with different optical density. The Earth's atmosphere has a varying density due to the presence of different gases at different altitudes. This causes the sun's light to bend as it passes through the atmosphere, changing its direction and apparent position.

Effects of Refraction:

1. The sun appears to be elliptical due to atmospheric refraction just before setting.

2. The sun appears to be higher in the sky than it actually is during sunrise and lower during sunset.

3. The twinkling of stars is also caused by atmospheric refraction.

4. The apparent depth of a swimming pool appears to be less due to refraction of light.

5. The mirage phenomenon is also caused by atmospheric refraction.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the sun appears to be elliptical just before setting due to refraction of light. This is caused by the varying density of the Earth's atmosphere, which bends the sun's light as it passes through the atmosphere, changing its direction and apparent position. Refraction has several other effects on the appearance of objects, including the apparent height of the sun during sunrise and sunset, the twinkling of stars, and the mirage phenomenon.
Explore Courses for Class 12 exam

Top Courses for Class 12

Question Description
Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for Class 12 2025 is part of Class 12 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 12 exam syllabus. Information about Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Class 12 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Class 12. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Class 12 Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Just before setting, the sun may appear to be elliptical. This happens due to:a)Refractionb)Dispersionc)Reflectiond)DiffractionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Class 12 tests.
Explore Courses for Class 12 exam

Top Courses for Class 12

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev