Air molecules selectively scatter visible light because ____.
A)they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light
B)they are much larger than the wavelength of visible light
C)they are the same size as the wavelength of visible light
D)they are unable to absorb electromagnetic waves
E)the electrons that orbit around the nucleus of atoms have a blue color

Question

Air molecules selectively scatter visible light because ____.
A)they are smaller than the wavelength of visible light
B)they are much larger than the wavelength of visible light
C)​they are the same size as the wavelength of visible light
D)​they are unable to absorb electromagnetic waves
E)​the electrons that orbit around the nucleus of atoms have a blue color

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Air molecules scatter visible light selectively because the size of air molecules is much smaller than the wavelength of visible light. The scattering of visible light is caused by the interaction between electromagnetic waves and the electrons in the air molecules. The scattering is affected by the size of the particles, with smaller particles scattering shorter wavelengths (blue) of light more strongly than longer wavelengths (red). This is why the sky appears blue during the day, as the blue light is scattered more than other colors by the air molecules in the Earth's atmosphere.

Air Molecules Selectively Scatter Visible Light Because ____