Q. The sky would appear red instead of blue if

A) Atmospheric particles scatter blue light more than red light
B) Atmospheric particles scatter all colours equally
C) Atmospheric particles scatted red light more than the blue light
D) The sun was much hotter
Explanation

(c) The blue colour of sky is due to Rayleight’s scattering $\left( \propto \frac{1}{\lambda^{4}} \right)$
As light moves through the atmosphere, most of the longer wavelengths pass straight through, little of the red, orange and yellow light is affected by air. However, much of the shorter wavelength light (blue) is absorbed by the gas molecules. The absorbed blue light is then radiated in different directions. It gets scattered all around the sky and hence sky appears blue. In order, that sky appears red will be possible if atmospheric particles scatter red light more than blue light.

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.