Question

The blue colour of sky is due to

• A. Interference of light
• B. Diffraction of light
• C. Scattering of light
• D. Polarisation of light

Hint:

Remember: Shorter wavelengths (Blue/Violet) scatter more than longer wavelengths (Red). This is also why the sun looks red at sunset—the blue light has been scattered away through the thick atmosphere.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The interaction of sunlight with the Earth's atmosphere leads to various optical phenomena. The primary mechanism responsible for the sky's color is the redirection of light by particles in the atmosphere.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Sunlight reaches Earth's atmosphere and is scattered in all directions by the gases and particles in the air.
2. Blue light travels as shorter, smaller waves and is scattered more than the other colors because it interacts more strongly with atmospheric molecules.
3. This phenomenon is known as Rayleigh scattering.
4. Because blue light is scattered more intensely, we see a blue sky when looking in any direction away from the direct sun.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The blue color of the sky is caused by the scattering of light.