What is Rayleigh Scattering?

Rayleigh scattering refers specifically to the scattering of light or other electromagnetic radiation by particles that are much smaller than the wavelength of the light. In the context of Earth's atmosphere, this occurs predominantly due to air molecules, such as nitrogen and oxygen.

When sunlight enters the atmosphere, it interacts with these small air molecules, scattering shorter wavelengths of light (like blue and violet) more efficiently than longer wavelengths (like red). This phenomenon is responsible for the blue color of the sky, as the scattered blue light is what we predominantly see from various angles of observation during the day.

The scattering is named after the British scientist Lord Rayleigh, who conducted experiments in the 19th century that helped to quantify and understand this process. Understanding Rayleigh scattering is significant in fields such as meteorology, astronomy, and environmental science, as it affects how light interacts with the atmosphere under various conditions.