Due to what the sky appears blue?
The sky appears blue due to scattering of sunlight by air molecules and tiny particles in the atmosphere. Shorter wavelengths of light, particularly blue and violet, scatter more easily in all directions, making the sky appear predominantly blue during the day.
Share
The sky appears blue primarily due to scattering (Option C) of sunlight by air molecules and small particles in the atmosphere. This scattering is known as Rayleigh scattering, where shorter wavelengths of light (blue and violet) are scattered more effectively than longer wavelengths (red and yellow). As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, the blue light is scattered in all directions, creating the blue color we see when looking up. Refraction (Option A) occurs when light bends as it passes from one medium to another, such as when entering the atmosphere from space or passing through water droplets. Reflection (Option B) involves light bouncing off a surface without entering it, as seen in mirrors or calm water surfaces. Dispersion (Option D) refers to the separation of light into its component wavelengths, typically seen in phenomena like rainbows or prisms. Understanding scattering helps explain the visual phenomenon of the blue sky and its variations depending on atmospheric conditions and time of day.