What type of light wavelengths are scattered most efficiently by the tiny gas molecules (nitrogen and oxygen) in the atmosphere?
Answer
Shorter, high-frequency wavelengths (blue and violet)
The process known as Rayleigh scattering dictates that small atmospheric particles are much better at dispersing shorter wavelengths of visible light, which we perceive as blue and violet, across the sky.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of light wavelengths are scattered most efficiently by the tiny gas molecules (nitrogen and oxygen) in the atmosphere?Why does the sky often appear a deeper, more intense shade of blue during winter months in many regions?What atmospheric elements are responsible for scattering light across a broader spectrum, often leading to a lighter or whiter sky in summer?What accounts for the rich red and orange colors observed during sunrise or sunset?How does the clarity of the air in winter nights affect the appearance of stars and planets?During the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere, what is the effect of the Sun’s high arc on the light path at midday?What composition typically characterizes clouds during the colder winter months due to low ambient temperatures?What kind of cloud development is often observed in the warmer summer seasons due to rapidly rising, moisture-laden air?What physical phenomenon governs the basic blue hue of the daytime sky?How does the air quality in autumn typically affect the visible blue of the daytime sky compared to summer?Which factor causes summer sunsets to sometimes appear muted compared to winter sunsets, even over water?