Back to 16.5 The Electromagnetic Spectrum

16.5 Exercise 5

Avg difficulty 2.5

Part of the light passing through the air is scattered in all directions by the molecules comprising the atmosphere. The wavelengths of visible light are larger than molecular sizes, and the scattering is strongest for wavelengths of light closest to sizes of molecules.
(a) Which of the main colors of light is scattered the most? (b) Explain why this would give the sky its familiar background color at midday.

OpenStax University Physics Volume 2, 16.5 The Electromagnetic Spectrum, exercise 5

AI Tutor

Adapted from University Physics Volume 2 © 2016 Rice University. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Source: University Physics Volume 2. Imported at revision db44eb9.