2006-12-06 08:43:27 · 17 answers · asked by techno_bitch1 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The blue color of the sky is due to Rayleigh scattering. As light moves through the atmosphere, most of the longer wavelengths pass straight through. Little of the red, orange and yellow light is affected by the air.
However, much of the shorter wavelength light is absorbed by the gas molecules. The absorbed blue light is then radiated in different directions. It gets scattered all around the sky. Whichever direction you look, some of this scattered blue light reaches you. Since you see the blue light from everywhere overhead, the sky looks blue.
2006-12-06 08:48:59 · answer #1 · answered by ~♥ Shih Tzu Lover ♥~ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of diffuse skylight radiation. Our atmosphere scatters the light that reaches us. Depending on the angle in which sunlilght hits the atmosphere, the light's wavelength shifts towards the blue spectrum or the red. That is why we have a blue sky during the day when the sun is above us, and why sunsets are red, when the light comes from the side. A more interesting question is, "why isn't the sky purple."
2006-12-06 16:49:19 · answer #2 · answered by Pecos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reason is due to how light bends in the earth atmosphere.
The natural curve of the earth bends the light to the point of it looking blue ( try using a prison and a light source)
this will give the the "rainbow effect"
its also why the sky turns red at night, as the sun sets the light bends more, giving the appearance of a red sky.
2006-12-06 16:50:02 · answer #3 · answered by DAVID B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its to do with the way that the sun shines though the o-zone layer,in the same way that u get a rainbow,when white(normal) light shines though rain drops,they split the light into the different spectrums of light(colours)which creates a rainbow
2006-12-06 16:49:11 · answer #4 · answered by pj 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because red sky would make it look like hell.
2006-12-06 16:46:55 · answer #5 · answered by Puma 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because.
Oh, I could give you a lot of scientific bullshit like others have, but, plain and simple, it's blue because it is.
Be content with that which is.
2006-12-06 16:51:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Look at Lisa Hutton's answer. I have answered this so many times I can't be bothered to waste my energy.
2006-12-06 16:53:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think its' because of the oceans reflecting off the atmosphere.
2006-12-06 16:51:21 · answer #8 · answered by Chris C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Lisa Hutton's answer is correct.
2006-12-06 16:51:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
So that toddlers have a tricky question to ask their parents :)
2006-12-06 16:45:41 · answer #10 · answered by Jeremy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋