What is scattering of light?

State the wavelength dependence of Rayleigh scattering.

Why is the clear daytime sky blue?

Using \(I\propto1/\lambda^4\), compare scattering of \(450\,\mathrm{nm}\) blue light with \(650\,\mathrm{nm}\) red light.

Why do sunsets often appear red or orange?

Why do clouds often look white rather than blue?

A wavelength is reduced by a factor of \(2\). By what factor does Rayleigh scattering increase?

Distinguish scattering from absorption.

For Rayleigh scattering, derive the ratio of scattered intensities for wavelengths \(\lambda_1\) and \(\lambda_2\).

A detector compares scattered light at \(400\,\mathrm{nm}\) and \(700\,\mathrm{nm}\) from small particles in the Rayleigh regime. Find \(I_{400}/I_{700}\).

Using Rayleigh's \(1/\lambda^4\) dependence, compare scattering of \(500\,\mathrm{nm}\) light with \(600\,\mathrm{nm}\) light.

A wavelength is doubled while the scattering particles remain in the Rayleigh regime. By what factor does the scattered intensity change?

A beam of white light travels a long distance through air. Explain why the directly transmitted beam becomes redder.

Rayleigh scattering is stronger for violet than for blue light. Why does the daytime sky usually look blue rather than violet?

Distinguish Rayleigh scattering from Mie scattering in terms of particle size and wavelength dependence.

For Rayleigh scattering, derive an expression for the scattered-intensity ratio \(I_a/I_b\) for wavelengths \(\lambda_a\) and \(\lambda_b\).

Small particles Rayleigh-scatter \(400\,\mathrm{nm}\) light and \(800\,\mathrm{nm}\) light. Find the ratio \(I_{400}/I_{800}\).

In incident sunlight, the intensity at \(450\,\mathrm{nm}\) is half the intensity at \(650\,\mathrm{nm}\). If the particles are in the Rayleigh regime, find the ratio of scattered \(450\,\mathrm{nm}\) intensity to scattered \(650\,\mathrm{nm}\) intensity.

Explain why sunlight scattered through about \(90^\circ\) by the atmosphere can be partially polarized.

A particle has radius \(30\,\mathrm{nm}\). Is Rayleigh scattering a reasonable model for visible light of wavelength \(600\,\mathrm{nm}\)? Compare with a particle of radius \(1.0\,\mu\mathrm m\).