Why shorter wavelength light scatter more?

Dear Student,
 

Scattering is the process by which small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere diffuse part of radiation in all directions. Scattering occurs when radiation waves hit gas molecules or particles of dust and are not absorbed by them

Shorter the wavelength ,higher the Scattering

Particles or molecules, much smaller than the wavelength of light(0.5micro metre),produce a Scattering of sunlight that is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the wavelength. This means shorter wavelength scattered much more than longer wavelength.

Thus ,for visible radiation,the Scattering of blue light is 10 times greater than for red light. Thus blue light scattered more effectively, producing the blue colour of the daytime sky.

Tanmayee
regards

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