Question

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.
6​

Answer 1

$\huge\underline\mathrm{Question-}$

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.

$\huge\underline\mathrm{Answer-}$

Firstly, you should know about scattering of light :

It is the phenomenon of diffused reflection of light passing through a medium in all directions. The particles of medium which scatter the light are called the scatters.

Now, the reddening of sun at sunshine and sunset :

Light from the sun passes through the thicker layers of atmosphere and larger distance when the sun lies at horizon, ( i.e during the sunrise and sunset ). Here there occurs more and more scattering of shorter wavelengths ( blue and other shorter lights ). Hence, the light that reaches to our eyes is of longer wavelength ( i.e of red colour ). This gives the reddish appearance of the sun at sunrise and sunset.

The scattered light gives the appearance of blue colour of the sky also.

When the sun lies overhead, it appears slightly white or yellowish. It is so from this position ( at noon ) the sun rays have to travel very short distance in the atmosphere to reach to the earth. So there occurs very less scattering of shorter wavelengths.

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