Question
Under the surface of the ocean ,it becomes darker as you go deeper.Which statement explains why this occurs
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The phenomenon of decreasing light intensity with depth in the ocean is primarily due to the absorption and scattering of sunlight.
1. **Absorption**: Water absorbs light, particularly in the red, orange, and yellow wavelengths, much more than in the blue wavelengths. As sunlight penetrates the water's surface, it gradually loses intensity as it is absorbed by the water.
2. **Scattering**: Light also scatters as it travels through the water. Tiny particles, microorganisms, and water molecules scatter sunlight, which further reduces the amount of direct light that reaches deeper areas.
As a result of these processes, the ocean becomes progressively darker the deeper you go, culminating in a zone where no natural light penetrates, known as the aphotic zone.
1. **Absorption**: Water absorbs light, particularly in the red, orange, and yellow wavelengths, much more than in the blue wavelengths. As sunlight penetrates the water's surface, it gradually loses intensity as it is absorbed by the water.
2. **Scattering**: Light also scatters as it travels through the water. Tiny particles, microorganisms, and water molecules scatter sunlight, which further reduces the amount of direct light that reaches deeper areas.
As a result of these processes, the ocean becomes progressively darker the deeper you go, culminating in a zone where no natural light penetrates, known as the aphotic zone.