Question

The blue colour of the sky is due to the

• A. reflection of light
• B. dispersion of light
• C. refraction of light
• D. scattering of light

Hint:

Remember: Rayleigh scattering causes the sky to appear blue because shorter wavelengths of light (blue) scatter more than longer wavelengths (red).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the scattering of light
The blue color of the sky is primarily due to the phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering. In this process, shorter wavelengths (like blue light) are scattered more by the gases and particles in Earth's atmosphere than longer wavelengths (like red light).

Step 2: Why other options are incorrect
- Reflection and refraction do not explain why the sky appears blue. Reflection would affect only the surface or body from which the light is reflected, and refraction bends light but does not explain the color of the sky.
- Dispersion of light refers to the separation of light into different colors, like in a prism, but it does not cause the blue color of the sky.

Step 3: Conclusion
Thus, the blue color of the sky is due to the scattering of light.
\[ \boxed{\text{scattering of light}} \]