Why are Clouds White? Raman Effect & Rayleigh Scattering

  • Context: Undergrad 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the reasons why clouds appear white, exploring concepts such as the Raman effect and Rayleigh scattering. Participants examine the size of water droplets in clouds and their impact on light scattering, as well as the mechanisms that allow clouds to remain suspended in the atmosphere.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions that larger particles reflect white light, while another suggests that varying droplet sizes contribute to the cloud's color, with small droplets scattering blue light, medium droplets scattering green, and larger droplets scattering red.
  • Another participant states that water droplets are larger than the wavelengths of visible light, leading to equal reflection or scattering of all colors.
  • A participant briefly notes diffuse reflection off water droplets.
  • Several participants inquire about the mechanism that allows clouds, which consist of water droplets, to remain suspended in the air.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms behind cloud coloration and the scattering of light, indicating that multiple competing explanations exist without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on the definitions of droplet sizes and the specific conditions under which light scattering occurs. The discussion does not resolve the relationship between the Raman effect and Rayleigh scattering in this context.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in atmospheric science, optics, or the physics of light may find this discussion relevant.

rishch
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In one place I read that since the particles are big they reflect white light as is. But in another I read that they are made up of water droplets of varying sizes so,

small droplets: make blue
medium droplets: make green
larger droplets: make red

...and together they combine to make a white cloud. Which one is correct?

And also, under Raman effect it's given that in Rayleigh scattering the scattered light is the same as that of the incident light. But how. The sky is blue. This is because blue light is scattered. But the incident light is white? Or do they mean that the scattered light's wavelength does not change?
 
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I've only read that water droplets are larger than the wavelengths of visible light and therefore reflect or scatter all of it equally.
 
diffuse reflection off water droplets.
 
May I join in along a sideline.

Clouds consist of water droplets. What holds the cloud up in the air?
 
Thanks Charmar.
 

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