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  • (a) What is scattering of light ? Explain how the colour of the scattered light depends on the size of the scattering particles. (b) Explain the reddish appearance of the Sun at sunrise or sunset. Why does it not appear red at noon ? </p

(a) What is scattering of light ? Explain how the colour of the scattered light depends on the size of the scattering particles.

(b) Explain the reddish appearance of the Sun at sunrise or sunset. Why does it not appear red at noon ? 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Answers (1)

(a) Scattering of light is a phenomenon in which light ray redirected in all other directions. When light pass through particles of comparable size to the wavelengh of light.

The colour of scattered light depends the sixe of the scattering particles.

  • Fine particles scatter mainly light of shorter wavelength like blue light.
  • Large particles scatter longer wavelength like red light.
  • If the particles size is large enough, scatter light of all colour and appear white.

(b) During sunset and sunrise , sun is near the Horizon , sunlight has to travel longer distance and most of blue light scattered away. Since the red light is less scattered, red light can travel longer distance and reaches observer. Hence sunset and sunrise appears reddish.

During noon, sun is directly overhead so sunlight travels lesser distance and scattering of blue light by the atmosphere makes it appear blue. 

Posted by

Sumit Saini

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