How do you see the sun after it has set?

[soggybread]

How do you see the sun after it has set??

Homework Statement

The density of the atmosphere decreases with height, as does the index of refraction. Explain how one can see the sun after it has set.

Homework Equations

Snell's Law:

sin x1 * x1 = sin x2 * x2

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not sure how to approach this at all, but i think it has something to do with Snell's law...

 

[Chi Meson]

Multiple choice time

What is the name of the phenomenon that allows us to actually see the light of the sun after the sun has moved (geometrically speaking) below the horizon:
a) reflection b) refraction c) diffraction d) interference e)scattering f) the flying spaghetti monster

hint: which does Snell's law have to do with, and where does the "n" come from?

 

[thomate1]

I would like to provide an explanation for how one can see the sun after it has set. The key concept here is the refraction of light. When the sun is setting, it appears to be on the horizon because the light from the sun is being refracted, or bent, as it passes through the Earth's atmosphere. This is due to the fact that the density of the atmosphere decreases with height, and as a result, the index of refraction also decreases.

As the sun continues to set, the light from the sun passes through more and more layers of the atmosphere, causing it to be refracted at different angles. This results in the sun appearing lower and lower on the horizon until it eventually disappears from view.

However, even after the sun has technically set below the horizon, it is still possible to see it due to a phenomenon called atmospheric refraction. This occurs because the index of refraction of the atmosphere is not constant and can vary depending on factors such as temperature, pressure, and humidity.

As a result, the light from the sun can be bent around the curvature of the Earth, allowing us to see it even after it has technically set. This is why we can sometimes see the sun for a few extra minutes after it has set, or why we can sometimes see the sun rise a few minutes before it has technically risen.

In summary, the reason we can see the sun after it has set is due to the refraction of light through the Earth's atmosphere, which is caused by the decrease in density and the varying index of refraction at different heights. This phenomenon is also responsible for the beautiful colors we see during sunrise and sunset, as the light is being refracted at different angles, creating a stunning display of colors in the sky.