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Why does the sun appear reddish at sunrise and sunset?
AIt is closer to the earth then in general usage
BThe earth blocks some blue light across all cases
CLight has to traverse a longer atmospheric path, scattering away the blue
DAir becomes denser at those times under typical conditions
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Light has to traverse a longer atmospheric path, scattering away the blue
1. At sunrise and sunset the sun lies near the horizon.
2. Its light travels obliquely through a longer thickness of air.
3. Most blue and violet light is scattered out of the direct beam.
4. Only the longer wavelengths (orange and red) reach the observer.
5. So the sun appears reddish at sunrise and sunset.
6. The sky near the sun looks red for the same reason.
_Source: NCERT Class 10 Science Ch 11 'Human Eye and the Colourful World'_
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