Distant snow covered hills appear yellowish because that is the color of the
A) reflected light that survives scattering.
B) atmosphere between the observer and the hills.
C) selectively reflected light that reaches a distant observer.
D) sky that is reflected off the hills.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Distant snow-covered hills appear yellowish primarily due to the reflected light that survives scattering. When sunlight travels through the Earth's atmosphere, shorter wavelengths (blue light) are scattered in all directions by the gases and particles in the air, leaving behind the longer wavelengths (yellow, orange, and red) that can travel further. This phenomenon, known as Rayleigh scattering, is also why the sky appears blue and sunsets are red. In the case of distant snow-covered hills, the light that has managed to travel the long distance and reflect off the snow is predominantly composed of these longer wavelengths, giving the hills a yellowish tint.

Distant Snow Covered Hills Appear Yellowish Because That Is the Color