Scattering of Light | The Human Eye and the Colorful World | Notes | Summary - Zigya

Book Store

Download books and chapters from book store.
Currently only available for.
CBSE

Previous Year Papers

Download the PDF Question Papers Free for off line practice and view the Solutions online.
Currently only available for.
Class 10 Class 12
Advertisement

Human Eye and Colourful World

Quickly browse through questions and notes on related topics. You can also download and read this topic offline.


Advertisement

Scattering of Light

Spreading of light in various directions by colloid particles.

Scattering space proportional to space 1 over wavelength

Colour of the Sun at Sunrise and Sunset

While sunset and sunrise, the colour of the sun and its surrounding appear red. During sunset and sunrise, the sun is near horizon and therefore the sunlight has to travel larger distance in the atmosphere.

Due to this most of the blue light (shorter wavelength) are scattered away by the particles. The light of longer wavelength (red colour) will reach our eye. This is why the sun appears red in colour.

Tyndall Effect

Tyndall effect : When light passes through a colloid its path becomes visible. This is called Tyndall effect. E.g.,

  1. Path of light becomes visible when light enters a dark and dusty room through a slit or ventilator.
  2. Path of light becomes visible when light passes through the dense canopy of trees in a forest.

Why is the colour of the clear Sky Blue?

The upper layer of the atmosphere contains very fine particles of water vapours and gases. These particles are more effective in the scattering of light of shorter wavelength mainly blue than the larger wavelength. So, the sky appears blue.

Advertisement