Tag: physics

Fine particles scatter light of shorter wavelength and larger particles scatter light of longer wavelength. However, if the size of the scattering particles is large enough, then, the scattered light may even appear white.

The molecules of air and other fine particles in the atmosphere have size smaller than the wavelength of visible light. These are more effective in scattering light of shorter wavelengths at the blue end. This scattered blue light enters our eyes and makes the ocean and sky appear blue.

The molecules of air and other fine particles in the atmosphere have size smaller than the wavelength of visible light. These are more effective in scattering light of shorter wavelengths at the blue end. Whereas, larger particles scatter light of longer wavelengths at the red end.

Violet light scatters the most while red light scatters the least because violet has shorter wavelength and red light has larger.

Scattering occurs when light passes through canopy of dense forests. 

Phenomenon of scattering occurs when light is incident on very small particles and is deflected as a result of it. 

The colour of a colloidal solution depends on the wavelength of the light scattered by the dispersed particles, which in turn depends on the size and the nature of particle.
The colour of water in sea is blue on the scattering of light by water.

Dispersion optical phenomena the splitting of white light into seven constituent colors occur. These colors are often observed as light passes through a triangular prism. Upon passage through the prism, the white light is separated into its component colors - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. The separation of visible light into its different colors is known as dispersion. It was mentioned in the ight and color unit that each color is characteristic of a distinct wave frequency and different frequencies of light waves will bend varying amounts upon passage through a prism. 

After scattering of light by small particles, it spreads in all directions. Hence, the intensity of the scattered light in a direction is smaller then the intensity of the incident light wave.

Tyndall Effect is observed in many natural phenomenon. It involves the scattering of light in a colloidal solution by fine particles. Some common phenomenon include the sunlight entering through forest canopy, sunlight entering a dark room from a small hole and light passed through a milk solution. Speed of light in a medium is defined by the refractive index of the medium. It is maximum for vacuum and is given by the value $3 \times 10^8\ m/s$.