Question

At sunrise or sunset, the sun appears to be reddish white. This is because :

• A. The sun is colder at sunrise or at sunset
• B. Diffraction sends red rays to the earth at these times
• C. Refraction causes this phenomenon
• D. Scattering due to dust particles and air molecules causes the phenomenon
• E. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is D Scattering due to dust particles and air molecules causes the phenomenon

During sunset and sunrise, the rays have to travel a larger part of the atmosphere because they are very close to the horizon. Therefore, light other than red is mostly scattered away. Most of the red light, which is the least scattered, enters our eyes. Hence, the sun appears red.