Which optical effect, explained by Ibn al-Haytham, causes a mirage on hot desert surfaces?

💡 Explanation

When light passes through air of varying densities due to temperature gradients, total internal reflection causes a refraction and apparent mirroring of the sky on the ground, creating the mirage effect explained by Ibn al-Haytham. Therefore, total internal reflection results, rather than chromatic aberration, diffraction, or polarization requiring different medium properties.

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