What is meant by scattering of light? Use this phenomenon to explain why the clear sky appears blue or the sun appears reddish at sunrise.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) $(i)$ Scattering of light: It is the phenomenon of the redirection of light in different directions by the particles (such as atoms,molecules,dust,or smoke) present in the atmosphere.
$(ii)$ Why the sky appears blue: The fine particles in the atmosphere have a size smaller than the wavelength of visible light. These particles scatter light of shorter wavelengths (like blue and violet) much more strongly than light of longer wavelengths (like red). Since blue light has a shorter wavelength,it is scattered the most,which is why the sky appears blue to our eyes.
$(iii)$ Why the sun appears reddish at sunrise: At sunrise,the sun is near the horizon. Sunlight has to travel through a much thicker layer of the atmosphere to reach the observer. During this long journey,most of the blue and shorter wavelength light is scattered away by the atmospheric particles. Only the light of longer wavelengths,such as red,reaches our eyes,which is why the sun appears reddish at sunrise.

Explore More

Similar Questions

How can we explain the reddish appearance of the Sun at sunrise or sunset? Why does it not appear red at noon?

$(a)$ Explain the phenomenon of scattering of light. State the factor on which the colour of scattered light depends.
$(b)$ List any two natural phenomena based on the scattering of light.

Which phenomenon is responsible for the blue color of the clear sky?

At noon,the sun appears white because:

With the help of scattering of light,explain the reason for the difference in colours of the Sun as it appears during sunrise/sunset and noon.

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo