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Why The Sky Blue

The sky appears blue primarily due to a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering. This occurs when sunlight interacts with the gases and small particles in Earth's atmosphere. Sunlight, or "white" light, is composed of a spectrum of colors, each with different wavelengths. When sunlight enters the atmosphere, it is scattered in all directions by the air molecules and particles.

Rayleigh scattering is more effective at shorter wavelengths, which correspond to the blue and violet end of the visible spectrum. However, our eyes are more sensitive to blue light, and the sun emits more blue light than violet, which is why we perceive the sky as blue. The intensity of scattered light is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the wavelength, meaning shorter wavelengths are scattered much more than longer ones.

During sunrise and sunset, the sun is lower on the horizon, and its light must pass through a greater thickness of the atmosphere. This results in more scattering of the shorter blue wavelengths, allowing the longer red and orange wavelengths to dominate, giving the sky its reddish hues at these times.

Additionally, atmospheric conditions such as pollution, dust, and smoke can affect the scattering process, sometimes enhancing the colors seen during sunrise and sunset. For instance, larger particles from pollution or volcanic eruptions can lead to more vibrant reds and oranges due to Mie scattering, which is less wavelength-dependent than Rayleigh scattering.

In summary, the blue color of the sky is primarily due to Rayleigh scattering, where shorter wavelengths of light are scattered more effectively by the small particles in the atmosphere, combined with the human eye's sensitivity to blue light.

- RESOURCES -

Rayleigh scattering: Why the sky is blue and how smoke particles can change its hue

Rayleigh scattering: Why the sky is blue and how smoke particles can change its hue

Did you know that all the colors of the rainbow are scattered throughout the sky at any given time? This is due to Rayleigh scattering.......

fox23maine.com

Why Is the Sky Blue? Understanding Rayleigh Scattering

Why Is the Sky Blue? Understanding Rayleigh Scattering

Rayleigh scattering is responsible for blue skies and sunset colors. Learn how light interacts with particles and gases to produce different sky colors.......

sparks.learning.asu.edu

ACP - Revisiting the question “Why is the sky blue?”

ACP - Revisiting the question “Why is the sky blue?”

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Why is the Sky Blue? Or Better Yet, Why is the Ocean Blue? | Office for Science and Society - McGill University

Why is the Sky Blue? Or Better Yet, Why is the Ocean Blue? | Office for Science and Society - McGill University

The sky is blue due to a phenomenon called Raleigh scattering. This scattering refers to the scattering of electromagnetic radiation (of which light is a form) by particles of a much smaller wavelength than it. Sunlight is scattered by the particles ......

www.mcgill.ca

Why is the sky blue? | Royal Observatory

Why is the sky blue? | Royal Observatory

Clear skies above the Royal Observatory in Greenwich make for a fantastic view – but why is the sky blue?......

www.rmg.co.uk

MORE RESULTS
Mie scattering - Wikipedia

Mie scattering - Wikipedia

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en.wikipedia.org

Diffuse sky radiation - Wikipedia

Diffuse sky radiation - Wikipedia

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en.wikipedia.org

Why is the sky blue? | Live Science

Why is the sky blue? | Live Science

The sky's blueness isn't from reflecting the water. Instead, its color has to do with scattered light.......

www.livescience.com

Understanding the Physics Behind the Blue Sky Phenomenon | Physics Girl

Understanding the Physics Behind the Blue Sky Phenomenon | Physics Girl

Explore the physics of the blue sky phenomenon. Learn about scattering, wavelengths, and atmospheric composition shaping our daytime skyline.......

physicsgirl.in

Rayleigh scattering - Wikipedia

Rayleigh scattering - Wikipedia

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en.wikipedia.org

Why Is the Sky Blue? | NOAA SciJinks – All About Weather

This may sound like an easy question... it's not! ......

scijinks.gov

Elastic scattering - Wikipedia

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en.wikipedia.org

Why Is The Sky Blue?

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www.weather.gov

Rayleigh sky model - Wikipedia

Rayleigh sky model - Wikipedia

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en.wikipedia.org

Why Is the Sky Blue? | NASA Space Place – NASA Science for Kids

Learn the answer and impress your friends!......

spaceplace.nasa.gov

Blue Sky and Rayleigh Scattering

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hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu

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