Ever looked up and wondered, “Why is the sky blue?” This simple question has fascinated humans for centuries. The answer lies in physics, light, and our atmosphere. Let’s break it down in a way that makes sense.
The Real Reason: Rayleigh Scattering
Sunlight looks white, but it’s actually made of many colors (a spectrum). Each color has a different wavelength.
- Blue light has a shorter wavelength compared to red or yellow.
- When sunlight enters Earth’s atmosphere, it collides with air molecules.
- Shorter wavelengths (blue) scatter more than longer wavelengths (red).
This phenomenon is called Rayleigh Scattering, and it’s why we see a blue sky most of the time.
What About Sunsets?
At sunset, sunlight travels through more atmosphere. Blue light scatters away, leaving reds and oranges behind. That’s why sunsets look fiery and beautiful.
Fun Fact
If Earth had no atmosphere, the sky would appear black, just like in space!
