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wilddouglascounty
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I presume that some kind of absorption occurs when the sunset is reflected on the water, but can anyone describe this in more detail?
The reflection of the sunset on the water is redder--Why?
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- Thread starter wilddouglascounty
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In summary, the sunset appears redder on the water due to Rayleigh scattering, which scatters shorter, bluer wavelengths of light and leaves behind longer, redder wavelengths. Sunsets on water are more vibrant due to the reflective properties of water, which act as a mirror. The color of the water can affect the color of the sunset, with clear water enhancing the colors and murky or polluted water making them appear less vibrant. The color of the sunset can vary from day to day due to factors such as dust, pollution, and moisture in the air. The reflection of the sunset on water is not the same as the actual sunset, as it is distorted by the surface of the water and other environmental factors.
I presume that some kind of absorption occurs when the sunset is reflected on the water, but can anyone describe this in more detail?
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.Scott
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Next time you see this, have a set of polarizing sun glasses on hand. I suspect you will discover that the horizontally polarized lunset is redder than the vertically polarized sunset. When light makes a shallow reflection of any surface, the reflection of light polarized parallel to the surface is favored.
1. Why does the reflection of the sunset on the water appear redder?
The reflection of the sunset on the water appears redder because of a phenomenon called scattering. As the sun sets, the light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere, which scatters the shorter blue and green wavelengths of light. This leaves behind the longer red wavelengths, giving the sunset its characteristic red color. When this red light reflects off the water, it appears even more intense, making the reflection appear redder.
2. Does the color of the water affect the color of the sunset reflection?
Yes, the color of the water can affect the color of the sunset reflection. If the water is clear and calm, it will reflect the colors of the sky more accurately. However, if the water is murky or has a lot of particles in it, it can alter the color of the reflection by absorbing or scattering some of the light.
3. Why does the sunset reflection on water sometimes appear more orange or pink?
The color of the sunset reflection on water can vary depending on atmospheric conditions and the angle of the sun. If there are more particles in the air, such as pollution or dust, they can scatter the light in different ways, causing the reflection to appear more orange or pink. The angle of the sun can also play a role, as it may be reflecting off a different part of the sky with different colors.
4. Can the reflection of the sunset on water change throughout the evening?
Yes, the reflection of the sunset on water can change throughout the evening. As the sun continues to set, the angle of the light hitting the water changes, which can alter the color of the reflection. Additionally, as the atmosphere changes and the light passes through different layers, the colors can shift and change as well.
5. Is the reflection of the sunset on water always redder than the actual sunset?
Not necessarily. The reflection of the sunset on water can appear redder or more intense due to the amplifying effect of the water, but it ultimately depends on the conditions. If the sky is filled with more red and orange hues, the actual sunset may appear just as red or even more so than the reflection on the water. It all depends on the specific atmospheric conditions and the angle of the sun.
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