What would be the color of the sea without an atmosphere?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter sniffer
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atmosphere
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The color of the sea on Earth without an atmosphere would primarily appear blue-green due to the wavelengths of light that propagate best through water. In the absence of atmospheric interference, the sea would appear black at depth, as light can only reflect from a limited distance. Near the shore, the water would be clear enough to see the ground beneath. This conclusion is supported by the behavior of pure white light sources, such as halogen lights, which maintain a teal tinge at depths where sunlight does not penetrate.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light propagation in water
  • Knowledge of color theory related to wavelengths
  • Familiarity with the effects of atmospheric conditions on visual perception
  • Basic principles of optics and reflection
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of light propagation in different mediums
  • Explore the impact of atmospheric conditions on color perception
  • Study the principles of underwater visibility and clarity
  • Investigate the effects of artificial light sources in aquatic environments
USEFUL FOR

Students of environmental science, optical physics enthusiasts, marine biologists, and anyone interested in the visual effects of atmospheric conditions on natural bodies of water.

sniffer
Messages
112
Reaction score
0
what will be the colour appearance of the sea on earth?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The sea would evaporate

But if you mean the sky was clear instead of blue, then I would imagine the sea to appear black since light can only reflect from so far down. It would be clear towards the shore (you would see the ground under the water).

Just my opinion.
 
I think that it would still be primarily blue-green, since those are the wavelengths that propagate best through water. If you take a pure white (halogen, for instance) light source to a depth where sunlight doesn't exist, things are going to have that teal tinge. The situation shouldn't change just because of a lack of atmosphere, since at depth it's irrelevant. As whozum said, however, that's just my opinion.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
5K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
5K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
13K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K