Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/html/web/app/themes/studypress-core-theme/template-parts/header/mobile-offcanvas.php on line 20

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

Expert verified

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

01

 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.

02

(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.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Explain why the focal length of a plane mirror is infinite, and explain what it means for the focal point to be at infinity.

34.13 Dental Mirror. A dentist uses a curved mirror to view teeth on the upper side of the mouth. Suppose she wants an erect image with a magnification of 2.00 when the mirror is 1.25cm from a tooth. (Treat this problem as though the object and image lie along a straight line.) (a) What kind of mirror (concave or convex) is needed? Use a ray diagram to decide, without performing any calculations. (b) What must be the focal length and radius of curvature of this mirror? (c) Draw a principal-ray diagram to check your answer in part (b).

You are sunbathing in the late afternoon when the sun is relatively low in the western sky. You are lying flat on your back, looking straight up through Polaroid sunglasses. To minimize the amount of sky light reaching your eyes, how should you lie: with your feet pointing north, east, south, west, or in some other direction? Explain your reasoning

The left end of a long glass rod 6.00 cm in diameter has a convex hemispherical surface 3.00 cm in radius. The refractive index of the glass is 1.60. Determine the position of the image if an object is placed in air on the axis of the rod at the following distances to the left of the vertex of the curved end: (a) infinitely far, (b) 12.0 cm; (c) 2.00 cm.

In a diffraction experiment with waves of wavelength λ,there will be no intensity minima (that is, no dark fringes) if the slit width is small enough. What is the maximum slit width for which this occurs? Explain your answer.

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free