Question

The friends recently learned that when light from the Sun hits our atmosphere from the vacuum of interplanetary space, it is refracted, much like a beam of light passing from air to water. Tristan asks Camilla how this affects the apparent rising and setting times of the Sun. Which response is correct?
(A) "The Sun appears to rise sooner, and set later than it actually does."
(B) "The apparent rising and setting times of the Sun are completely unaffected by refraction."
(C) "The Sun appears to rise sooner, and set sooner than it actually does."
(D) "The Sun appears to rise later, and set later than it actually does."

Answer 1

Answer:

(A) "The Sun appears to rise sooner, and set later than it actually does."

Explanation:

The correct answer is

(A) "The Sun appears to rise sooner, and set later than it actually does."

This happens mainly due to refraction of the sun light as it travels from the vacuum of interplanetary space, it is refracted, much like a beam of light passing from air to water. This causes a bend in direction of light rays and what we see is a false or an apparent image.