What Causes ‘Mirages’ on Hot Roads?

Imagine you're walking on a hot road, and suddenly you see what looks like water shimmering in the distance. It's not real water, it’s a mirage! This happens because the hot surface of the road warms up the air just above it. When light travels from cooler air to warmer air, it bends or refracts, making the sky look like it's reflected on the road, just like a pool of water.

The hot road makes the air near it rise and move quickly. Light coming down from the sky bounces off this moving warm air, creating a shimmering illusion that looks like water.