You are outside enjoying a beautiful day. The sky is bright blue. When the sun sets, the sky turns a gorgeous salmon pink. After the sun has set, the sky pales to pink, then lavender; as it gets dark, the sky becomes a deeper purple, then midnight blue, and finally it looks black. The color changes you perceive in the sky are due to the ________ of light that it reflects.
A) amplitude
B) purity
C) wavelength
D) saturation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The colors we perceive in the sky are due to the varying wavelengths of light that are reflected by the atmosphere. The shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more in the atmosphere, which is why we see a blue sky during the day. At sunset, the sunlight travels through more of the atmosphere, which scatters the longer red wavelengths more, resulting in the characteristic pink and orange hues. As it gets darker, the sky appears darker as less light is reflected and reaches our eyes.

You Are Outside Enjoying a Beautiful Day