What are different colors of Sunlight?

We know that Sunlight contains of 7 Colors

Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red

All these combine to form white sunlight

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Which color of Sunlight is scattered more and Why?

We know that light is a wave

Blue Color of Sunlight is scattered most because it has a shorter wavelength

Red Color is scattered least because it as a longer wavelength


What is color of Scattered Light?

It depends upon whether the light reflects from large particles or small particles

Example

  • Particles of Dust and Water are Larger in Size
    Hence when sunlight falls on them, whole of light gets reflected (or scattered) in different directions
    Hence scattered light appears to be white in color
    Example - Cloud appears white because it scatters all colors of light
    why-do-clouds-appear-white.jpg
  • Air Molecules are Smaller in Size
    Hence when sunlight falls on them, only blue color of light gets scattered as it has shorter wavelength
    Hence, Scattered light appears to be blue in color

Why is color of Sky Blue?

We know that sunlight contains different colors like

Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red

The blue color of sunlight has much less wavelength compared to all other colors

When sunlight falls on molecules of air present in atmosphere

They are able to scatter light of shorter wavelength of blue much more than colors of other wavelengths like red

Hence, scattered light is of blue color and hence we see color of sky as blue

why-is-the-color-of-sky-blue.jpg

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo