Question
How does the scattering of tiny particles in the air affect the colors of the sky at sunrise and sunset?
colors change depending on the observer’s location
only the longer-wavelength colors are visible
only the shorter-wavelength colors are visible
only light that vibrates on a vertical plane is visible
colors change depending on the observer’s location
only the longer-wavelength colors are visible
only the shorter-wavelength colors are visible
only light that vibrates on a vertical plane is visible
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The scattering of tiny particles in the air, specifically due to Rayleigh scattering, primarily affects the colors of the sky at sunrise and sunset. During these times, the sun is low on the horizon, and sunlight passes through a greater thickness of the Earth's atmosphere. As a result, shorter wavelengths of light (blue and violet) are scattered out of the direct line of sight. This leaves the longer wavelengths, such as red, orange, and yellow, to dominate the sky's appearance.
Thus, the correct statement regarding how colors change in the sky at sunrise and sunset would be: **only the longer-wavelength colors are visible**.
Thus, the correct statement regarding how colors change in the sky at sunrise and sunset would be: **only the longer-wavelength colors are visible**.