Early sunrise and delayed sunset – caused by refraction of light through the 

atmosphere

we say that there is a difference of 2 minutes between the actual sunrise & the sunrise we see (virtual sunrise )but how is this possible bcz if the sun has not risen how can its light rays reach earth & how can we see a fake sunrise!!!!!!!??????????????

Hello,

@Harah, your friend has given a correct explanation to your question. I shall add a diagram to the explanation. 

At point A of the earth, sun is already in the sky. The broken line shows the original path of the ray of light. See the point B on the earth. If the earth had no atmosphere, the sun rays wouldn't have reached point B. But because of atmospheric refraction, sun light bends and reaches the point B. Thus, an observer at B will see an early sunrise. 

Thumbs up to Suspense from expert's side for her correct answer.