The advanced sunrise and delayed sunset observed in the sky are due to the phenomenon of refraction of sunlight. Refraction occurs when light passes through different mediums, such as the Earth`s atmosphere. The Earth`s atmosphere is composed of several layers of varying density, and when sunlight passes through these layers, it bends or changes direction. This bending of light causes the apparent position of the sun to be slightly higher in the sky during sunrise and slightly lower during sunset.
Option 1: Diffraction of sunlight is the bending of light around obstacles or through narrow openings. While diffraction can occur in the atmosphere, it does not explain the advanced sunrise and delayed sunset phenomena.
Option 3: Scattering of sunlight refers to the dispersion of light in different directions due to particles or molecules in the atmosphere. While scattering can affect the color of the sky, it does not explain the advanced sunrise and delayed sunset phenomena.
Option 4: Total internal reflection of sunlight occurs when light is reflected back into the same medium after it hits a boundary. This phenomenon is not responsible for the advanced sunrise and delayed sunset observed in the sky.
In conclusion, option 2, refraction of sunlight, is the correct explanation for the advanced sunrise and delayed sunset phenomena.