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What is Rayleigh scattering? Give essent ial condition for the

same.

Dear Student,
Rayleigh scattering:
It is the scattering of light or electromagnetic radiation. These radiation happen due to particles which are smaller than the wavelength of light. This effect can occur in any medium: solid, liquid or gas but it is more prominently seen in gases.
The phenomenon takes places when the oscillating electric field of the light manages to make the charges present in the particle comprising the phase to move in tandem with the electric field. So, these charges themselves become a dipole and the radiation they emit is seen as scattered light.

Essential Condition for Rayleigh Scattering:
As Rayleigh scattering is the elastic scattering of light or other electromagnetic radiation by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the light.
                                              Hence, the essential condition for Rayleigh scattering is that size of scatterer must be far less than the wavelength of light.
So the size of the scatterer should be much less than wavelength λ. Also from Rayleigh scattering intensity of light is,
                                          I directly proportional to 1/ λ4
Regards

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Dear student,

Rayleigh?scattering is the mechanism that causes the sky to be blue. When sunlight travels through the atmosphere, it is scattered by particles that are present. Some wavelengths of light, however, are scattered more than others. In this case, blue light is scattered more efficiently and the sky appears blue most of the time.

The only exception is during sunset or sunrise where the sun?s rays are passing directly through the atmosphere. In this case, the sky appears redder as red light isn?t scattered as much as blue and can pass through the atmosphere unaffected.

Condition for Rayleigh scattering:

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Dear student,

Rayleigh scattering is the mechanism that causes the sky to be blue. When sunlight travels through the atmosphere, it is scattered by particles that are present. Some wavelengths of light, however, are scattered more than others. In this case, blue light is scattered more efficiently and the sky appears blue most of the time.

The only exception is during sunset or sunrise where the sun?s rays are passing directly through the atmosphere. In this case, the sky appears redder as red light isn?t scattered as much as blue and can pass through the atmosphere unaffected.

Condition for Rayleigh scattering:

  • 1
Dear student,

Rayleigh scattering is the mechanism that causes the sky to be blue. When sunlight travels through the atmosphere, it is scattered by particles that are present. Some wavelengths of light, however, are scattered more than others. In this case, blue light is scattered more efficiently and the sky appears blue most of the time.

The only exception is during sunset or sunrise where the sun's rays are passing directly through the atmosphere. In this case, the sky appears redder as red light isn't scattered as much as blue and can pass through the atmosphere unaffected.

Condition:

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