2006-06-21 16:49:09 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
There are several theories:
Blue wavelengths are absorbed the least by the deep ocean water and are scattered and reflected back to the observer’s eye
Particles in the water may help to reflect blue light
The ocean reflects the blue sky
Most of the time the ocean appears to be blue because this is the color our eyes see. But the ocean can be many other colors depending upon particles in the water, the depth of the water, and the amount of skylight.
The colors we see depend upon the reflection of the visible wavelengths of light to our eyes. The Franklin Institute provides a good explanation of how we see color at http://www.fi.edu/color/color.html.
Wavelengths of light pass through matter differently depending on the material’s composition. Blue wavelengths are transmitted to greater depths of the ocean, while red wavelengths are absorbed quickly. Water molecules scatter blue wavelengths by absorbing the light waves, and then rapidly reemitting the light waves in different directions. That is why there are mostly blue wavelengths that are reflected back to our eyes.
Sometimes oceans look green. This may be because there is an abundance of plant life or sediment from rivers that flow into the ocean. The blue light is absorbed more and the yellow pigments from plants mix with the blue light waves to produce the color green.
Sometimes parts of the oceans will look milky brown after a storm passes. This is because winds and currents associated with the storm churn up sand and sediment from the rivers that lead into the oceans.
The ocean may also reflect the blue sky. However this is prominent only at relatively low angles and when the water is smooth.
2006-06-21 17:02:57 · answer #1 · answered by Puzzling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not, actually, it is basically clear- kind of like the sky, which also isn't really blue- just deep...
2006-06-21 16:52:45 · answer #2 · answered by northwest.poet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well in most places it is green...
but in general it is a reflection of the sky
2006-06-21 16:59:12 · answer #3 · answered by Misch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
plankton and.the way the light is refracted when it hits the surface of the water and is bounced back
2006-06-21 16:52:52 · answer #4 · answered by stacey 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because it is a reflection from the sky
2006-06-21 16:52:02 · answer #5 · answered by Hula Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank God for His wonderful creation-maybe it's God favourite colour!
2006-06-21 16:54:55 · answer #6 · answered by Dogman 61 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its sad,
2006-06-21 16:55:05 · answer #7 · answered by Mr Spock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋