Author Question: What is Rayleigh scatter? How does scattering contribute to the color of the sky. What will be an ... (Read 22 times)

CharlieWard · **on:** Jul 14, 2018

What is Rayleigh scatter? How does scattering contribute to the color of the sky.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What does albedo mean? Discuss the albedo of different surfaces including several not explicitly discussed in the textbook.

What will be an ideal response?

okolip · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 14, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Rayleigh is the differential scatter of visible light due to the presence of atmospheric gases and particulates smaller than the wavelengths of most visible light. As a result, mostly light in the blue and violets wavelengths are scattered, given the sky on a clear day it's blue color.

Answer to Question 2

Albedo is the reflective quality of a surface. Lighter objects have higher albedo; darker objects have lower albedo.For instance, white sand dunes have a higher albedo than a rainforest canopy.