Light Phenomena: Reasons Explained

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the basic phenomena of light, specifically addressing why the sky appears blue, why clouds appear white, the reddish hue of the sky during sunset and sunrise, and the oval shape of the sun during these times. The blue sky is attributed to Rayleigh scattering, while clouds appear white due to the scattering of all colors of light. The reddish sky during sunset and sunrise is a result of longer light paths through the atmosphere, which filter out shorter wavelengths. The sun's oval appearance during these times is due to atmospheric refraction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Rayleigh scattering
  • Basic knowledge of light wavelengths
  • Familiarity with atmospheric refraction
  • Concept of light scattering in different mediums
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Rayleigh scattering and its effects on light perception
  • Explore atmospheric refraction and its impact on celestial observations
  • Investigate the physics behind color perception in clouds
  • Study the relationship between light wavelength and atmospheric conditions
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Students of physics, educators explaining light phenomena, and anyone interested in the science behind atmospheric optics.

AlchemistK
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The following are some very basic commonly observed phenomena of light.
I need the reasoning of the statements with as much detail as possible.


1. The sky appears blue.
2. Clouds appear white.(why don't they scatter light?)
3. The sky appears reddish during sunset or sunrise.
4. The sun appears oval during sunset or sunrise but circular at noon.
 
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https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=94379

See #1 in above link.

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