Solved

Suppose the Earth's Atmosphere Can Be Modeled by a Series

Question 31

Multiple Choice

Suppose the Earth's atmosphere can be modeled by a series of cells of air with flat interfaces and indexes of refraction increasing with depth below the "top" (upper) surface. A ray strikes the upper surface at some nonzero angle with respect to the surface normal. As it comes toward the Earth, the ray direction will


A) continue to change such that its direction will deviate more and more (from its original direction) as it travels deeper into the atmosphere, but will never curve across the normal at the local surface.
B) continue to change such that its direction will deviate more and more (from its original direction) as it travels deeper into the atmosphere, even curving across the normal at the local surface if the initial conditions are right.
C) reverse its change compared to the original refraction it experiences on its initial encounter with the atmosphere, but will never curve back to cross a line parallel to the original direction at the top surface.
D) reverse its change compared to the original refraction it experiences on its initial encounter with the atmosphere, even curving back to cross a line parallel to the original direction at the top surface if the initial conditions are right.
E) More information is needed to work out the answer.

Correct Answer:

verifed

Verified

Unlock this answer now
Get Access to more Verified Answers free of charge

Related Questions