With reference to the scattering of light in the atmosphere, consider the following statements: 1. It is caused by very small-suspended particles in the troposphere. 2. It is responsible for the blue colour of the rising and setting sun. 3. It scatters the visible spectrum both to space and towards the earth's surface. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is 1 and 3 only. Explanation Scattering is the process by which small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere diffuse and redirect solar radiation. This interaction depends on the size of the particles relative to the wavelength of the light and the distance the light travels through the atmosphere. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: Scattering is primarily caused by the interaction of sunlight with gas molecules, dust particles, water droplets, and other suspended particulate matter present in the atmosphere, particularly in the troposphere. These particles obstruct and redirect the path of light waves. - Statement 2 is Incorrect: The scattering of light is responsible for the red or orange colour of the rising and setting sun, not blue. At sunrise and sunset, sunlight travels a longer path through the atmosphere. Shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) are scattered away from the line of sight, leaving the longer wavelengths (red and orange) to reach the observer. The blue colour of the sky is caused by scattering during the day. - Statement 3 is Correct: Scattering redirects solar radiation in all directions. A portion of this scattered light is directed back into space, while the remainder is directed towards the Earth's surface as diffuse daylight (skylight). This diffusion ensures that shadows are not pitch black and that light reaches areas not directly in the path of the sun. Key Takeaway Scattering redirects light in multiple directions; it causes the blue sky (scattering of short wavelengths) and the red sunrise/sunset (removal of short wavelengths over a long path), while providing diffuse illumination to the Earth's surface.

With reference to the scattering of… - NCERT Class 11 Geography MCQ

NCERT Class 11 Geography — Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

mcqmedium

With reference to the scattering of light in the atmosphere, consider the following statements:

It is caused by very small-suspended particles in the troposphere.
It is responsible for the blue colour of the rising and setting sun.
It scatters the visible spectrum both to space and towards the earth's surface.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Fundamentals of Physical Geography · Page 2

Options

A2 only
B1, 2 and 3
C1 and 2 only
D1 and 3 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is 1 and 3 only.

Explanation

Scattering is the process by which small particles and gas molecules in the atmosphere diffuse and redirect solar radiation. This interaction depends on the size of the particles relative to the wavelength of the light and the distance the light travels through the atmosphere.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: Scattering is primarily caused by the interaction of sunlight with gas molecules, dust particles, water droplets, and other suspended particulate matter present in the atmosphere, particularly in the troposphere. These particles obstruct and redirect the path of light waves.
Statement 2 is Incorrect: The scattering of light is responsible for the red or orange colour of the rising and setting sun, not blue. At sunrise and sunset, sunlight travels a longer path through the atmosphere. Shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) are scattered away from the line of sight, leaving the longer wavelengths (red and orange) to reach the observer. The blue colour of the sky is caused by scattering during the day.
Statement 3 is Correct: Scattering redirects solar radiation in all directions. A portion of this scattered light is directed back into space, while the remainder is directed towards the Earth's surface as diffuse daylight (skylight). This diffusion ensures that shadows are not pitch black and that light reaches areas not directly in the path of the sun.

Key Takeaway

Scattering redirects light in multiple directions; it causes the blue sky (scattering of short wavelengths) and the red sunrise/sunset (removal of short wavelengths over a long path), while providing diffuse illumination to the Earth's surface.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

Consider the following statements regarding the insolation received at the Earth's surface: 1. Generally, at the same latitude, insolation is more over the continent than over the oceans. 2. In winter, the middle and higher latitudes receive more radiation than in summer. 3. The subtropical deserts receive more insolation than the equator. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following is a characteristic of the isotherms in the Southern Hemisphere?

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With reference to the specific heat of land and water, consider the following statements: 1. The variation in temperature over the sea is much greater compared to land. 2. Land heats up and cools down more quickly than the sea. 3. Places near the sea experience extreme temperature variations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following is defined as "the energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of substance by one Celsius"?

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In the context of the heat budget, what percentage of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space before reaching the earth's surface?

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Keep practising Chapter 2: Solar radiation, heat balance and temperature

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