ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Looming and similar refraction phenomena

Okay kiddo, let me tell you about looming and similar refraction phenomena in a way that even a 5-year-old can understand.

You know how objects look bigger or smaller to you depending on how far away they are? That's because of something called perspective, which is how your eyes perceive things. But have you ever noticed that things look different when you see them through water or when it's really hot outside?

That's where refraction comes in. Refraction is when light waves change direction when they pass through something, like air or water. So when light travels through water, it bends slightly and can cause things to look like they're in a slightly different spot than they really are.

Now, let's talk about looming. Looming is when an object seems like it's getting closer, even though it's not. This happens because the light waves from the object are bending as they enter the atmosphere, and our brains think that the object is closer than it really is. It's kind of like when you see a mirage in the desert – it looks like there's water ahead of you, but really it's just a trick of the light.

Other refraction phenomena can cause things to look like they're bending or warping, or they can even make things look like they're upside down. This is because the light waves are bending at different angles as they pass through different materials, which can create optical illusions.

So there you have it, refraction and looming explained in a way that even a 5-year-old can understand. Pretty cool, huh?