2006-07-27 15:51:24 · 8 answers · asked by roll-n-low 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
This generally has to do with diffuse scattering of light rays. The air in the atmosphere scatters shorter wave lengths (blue and violet) more than longer ones (red). You may ask, why isn't the sky purple/violet. The eye has more more pigmentation that is responsive to blue than violet. Indeed, if aliens came, they may actually say the atmosphere looks more purple!
During sunrise and sunset, the sun is tangent (at a 90 degree angle) to the atmosphere. Light has to travel through much more "air" and the blue/violet light is scattered out before you see it, therefore giving the red and orange you see. In fact, particulates in the air contribute to a more spectacular sunrise/set because they contribute to the scattering.
Check out the source i posted for more in depth answer!
2006-07-27 15:59:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The air and other particular matter in the atmosphere scatter blue and violet light to a larger extent and absorb the other colours to a greater extent. Human eye can percieve blue colour better than violet. so the sky looks blue during the day.
2006-07-28 07:38:17 · answer #2 · answered by RAMA K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, it is the water molecules in the air. They absorb the other wavelegnths of light but reflect the blue. Take mars for example. It has very little, if any, water in the atmosphere, hence the red sky.
Imagine H2O molecules as prisms; shine a light through one side, and the light that comes out from the other side is in the blue area of vision.
2006-07-27 23:02:53 · answer #3 · answered by arbiteroffunk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nitrogen and oxygen in our atmosphere "scatter" the blue wavelength of the light entering which causes our eyes to perceive that the sky is blue.
2006-07-27 22:56:05 · answer #4 · answered by odu83 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rayleigh scattering (named after Lord Rayleigh) is the scattering of light, or other electromagnetic radiation, by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the light. It occurs when light travels in transparent solids and liquids, but is most prominently seen in gases. Rayleigh scattering of sunlight by the atmosphere is the main reason light from the sky is blue.
2006-07-30 02:43:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because when the sun shines, the atmosphere absorbs every colour but blue .. so you see blue ... same as a plant is green .. because it absorbs everything but green .... thats why at night the sky is black .. because theres no sunlight to absorb any colour
2006-07-28 04:59:40 · answer #6 · answered by jvillesking 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's not white
2006-07-27 23:33:34 · answer #7 · answered by babycal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
During the night, it isn't.
2006-07-27 23:10:53 · answer #8 · answered by Don S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋