Question

The explanation given in Section 33.6 for the color of the setting sun should apply equally well to the risingsun, since sunlight travels the same distance through the atmosphere to reach your eyes at either sunrise or sunset. Typically, however, sunsets are redder than sunrises. Why? (Hint:Particles of all kinds in the atmosphere contribute to scattering.)

Short answer

The sky is red at sunset because there is a greater number of suspended particles in the atmosphere to carry out the scattering process of the blue light.

Step-by-step solution

 Step 1: (a) Concept of Scattering of light.

The scattering of light is a phenomenon that happens when light travels from one medium to another and some part of the light gets absorbed by the molecules only to be subsequently radiated in a particular direction.

(b) Explanation of the argument.

At the time of sunset, there is a greater number of particles suspended in the atmosphere than at the time of sunrise. The greater the number of particles the more is the scattering of blue light. Therefore, it can be concluded that the blue light scattering is more during sunset than sunrise making the sky appear redder.