wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

Why does the sun appear red during the sunrise and the sunset?


A

Sun rays have to travel larger distance in the earth's atmosphere.

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
B

Sunlight near the horizon passes through the thicker layer of air.

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
C

Most of the shorter wavelengths are scattered.

No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
D

All of the above.

Right on! Give the BNAT exam to get a 100% scholarship for BYJUS courses
Open in App
Solution

The correct option is D

All of the above.


The visible light’s rays are white and consist of seven colours – violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red (known simply as VIBGYOR). The earth’s dust, gas and air particles scatter the sun’s light in different directions. Violet light has a peculiar property due to which it gets scattered the most. Red light gets scattered the least. At sunrise, the earth is rotating towards the sun. Similarly, during sunset, the earth is rotating away from the sun. During these times, the sunlight has to travel at an angle and thus cover a longer distance through the atmosphere. It encounters more obstacles in its path. Most of the colours, like green and violet, get scattered before the light reaches the earth. Since red is scattered the least, it is this colour that we see as it reaches us.


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
1
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Scattering of Light
PHYSICS
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon