Author Question: If the temperature was constant at the surface of the atmosphere, conditions would be ____ for ... (Read 142 times)

appyboo · **on:** Jul 13, 2018

If the temperature was constant at the surface of the atmosphere, conditions would be ____ for viewing a mirage.
A) good
B) excellent
C) average
D) poor

Question 2

Explain why sunrises and sunsets typically have colors of red, orange, and yellow.

Jane · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 13, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D

Answer to Question 2

Solar radiation entering Earth's atmosphere is scattered as it strikes air molecules and dust particles. Because air molecules are much smaller than the wavelengths of visible light, they more effectively scatter the shorter (blue) wavelengths than the longer (red) wavelengths. At sunrise and sunset, the sun is (typically) located on the horizon and sunlight must travel a longer distance through a thicker portion of the atmosphere. As sunlight travels along this path, the shorter wavelengths of visible light are more effectively scattered by the atmospheric air particles and the longer wavelengths of red, orange, and yellow are allowed to pass through, thereby creating the image of a red/orange sun.