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Activity 10.5 — Scattering of Light
NCERT Activity 10.5: Understand why the sky is blue during the day and why sunsets appear red — Rayleigh scattering of light by the atmosphere.
How To Perform
1
Noon — Sun Overhead
See how sunlight travels a short path through the atmosphere at noon.
2
Why Is the Sky Blue?
Blue light (short λ) scatters most — making the sky appear blue.
3
Sunset — Sun at Horizon
At sunset, sunlight travels a much longer distance through the atmosphere.
4
Why Is the Sunset Red?
Blue is scattered away — only red/orange (long λ) reaches our eyes.
5
Classify the Response
Explain why the sky is blue by day but red at sunset.
⚠️ Safety Notes
- •NEVER look directly at the sun, even during sunset — it can cause permanent eye damage.
- •Use proper solar filters if observing the sun.
- •The reddish colour of the sun at sunset is a natural atmospheric effect, not an indication of lower temperature.