Why is Sky Yellow?
Asked by tusharparik • 3 days ago
Why is Sky Yellow?
Answers
Science - Why the Sky Appears Yellow (Under Certain Conditions)
The sky typically appears blue due to a phenomenon called Rayleigh scattering. However, under specific conditions, the sky can appear yellow. This is often due to the presence of particulate matter in the air.
Rayleigh Scattering
Rayleigh scattering is the scattering of electromagnetic radiation (including light) by particles of a wavelength much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation. Blue light is scattered more than other colors because it travels as shorter, smaller waves. This is why we typically see a blue sky.
Mie Scattering
When there are larger particles in the atmosphere (like dust, pollen, pollution, or smoke), another type of scattering called Mie scattering becomes more dominant. Mie scattering affects all wavelengths of light more uniformly.
Explanation of Yellow Sky
When Mie scattering is prevalent due to a higher concentration of larger particles, blue light is scattered away, and other colors, including yellow and red, become more visible. If there's a specific concentration and type of particles, yellow light can become dominant, giving the sky a yellow appearance.
This effect is commonly observed during:
- Dust storms
- Periods of high pollution
- Wildfires (due to smoke particles)
- High pollen count days
The color of the sky is influenced by various factors, including the size and concentration of particles in the atmosphere, the angle of the sun, and the observer's location.
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