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Question
How does refraction take place in the atmosphere? Why do stars twinkle but not the planets?
Solution
There are several layers present in the atmosphere. The upper layer is optically rare, but the bottom layer is optically denser. When light passes through thicker and denser layers of the atmosphere, it bends towards the normal. As the stars are present very far away from us, the light coming from them get refracted multiple times and that results in the twinkling of the stars.
The planets are present much closer to the earth as compared to stars which make planets look like an extended source of light, not like a point-sized source of light as stars appear. This makes planets look stationary, not twinkling like stars.
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RELATED QUESTIONS
What is atmospheric refraction? Use this phenomenon to explain the following natural events:
Twinkling of stars
Draw diagrams to illustrate your answers.
Explain why the planets do not twinkle.
The correct sequencing of angle of incidence, angle of emergence, angle of refraction and lateral displacement shown in the following diagram by digits 1, 2, 3 and 4 is:
(a) 2, 4, 1, 3
(b) 2, 1, 4, 3
(c) 1, 2, 4, 3
(d) 2, 1, 3, 4
The phenomenon that causes the twinkling of stars is refraction of light.
Why do stars seem higher than they actually are? Illustrate your answer with the help of a diagram.
We know that light refracts (or bends) when it goes from one medium to another. Now, the atmosphere contains only air. Then how does light get refracted on passing through only air in the atmosphere?
A student claims that because of atmospheric refraction, the sun can be seen after it has set, and the day is, therefore, longer than if the earth had no atmosphere.
What does the student mean by saying that the sun can be seen after it has set?
A student claims that because of atmospheric refraction, the sun can be seen after it has set, and the day is, therefore, longer than if the earth had no atmosphere.
Do you think that the students conclusion is correct?
What causes the scattering of blue component of sunlight in the atmosphere?
Explain why the planets do not twinkle but the stars twinkle.
