Size sets the colour
Fine particles scatter blue.
Different particles
Light is scattered by particles of many sizes: very fine ones, larger ones, and large ones.
Do all particles scatter the same colour?
What this lesson covers
The idea
The colour of scattered light depends on particle size: very fine particles scatter mainly blue light, larger particles scatter longer wavelengths, and large enough particles scatter light that may appear white.
Different particles
Light is scattered by particles of many sizes: very fine ones, larger ones, and large ones.
Do all particles scatter the same colour?
- No, the colour depends on the size of the particles
- Yes, always white
- Yes, always red
Change the particle size
Choose a size and see the scattered light.
Size and colour
The colour of the scattered light depends on the size of the scattering particles. Very fine particles scatter mainly blue light. Particles of larger size scatter light of longer wavelengths. If the particles are large enough, the scattered light may even appear white.
The colour of scattered light depends on the size of the particles: very fine particles scatter mainly blue, larger ones scatter longer wavelengths, and large enough ones may scatter light that appears white.
Notes
Scattered colour depends on particle size: very fine particles scatter mainly blue; larger ones scatter longer wavelengths; large enough ones may look white.
Check yourself
What does the colour of the scattered light depend on?
Very fine particles scatter mainly…
Particles of larger size scatter light of…
If the scattering particles are large enough, the scattered light may appear…
- The colour of the container. The colour of the scattered light depends on the size of the scattering particles.
- The time of the day. The colour of the scattered light depends on the size of the scattering particles.
- The size of the scattering particles — correct. Yes!
- blue light — correct. Yes!
- red light. Very fine particles scatter mainly blue light.
- white light. Very fine particles scatter mainly blue light. White is for particles that are large enough.
- shorter wavelengths only. Particles of larger size scatter light of longer wavelengths.
- longer wavelengths — correct. Yes!
- no wavelengths. Particles of larger size scatter light of longer wavelengths.
- violet. If the size of the scattering particles is large enough, the scattered light may even appear white.
- dark. If the size of the scattering particles is large enough, the scattered light may even appear white.
- white — correct. Yes!