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Rayleigh scattering
Rayleigh scattering The scattering of electromagnetic radiation by spherical particles with radii that are less than 10 per cent that of the wavelength of the incident radiation. Such scattering by air molecules produces the blue colour of the sky. Particles such as dust and smoke, which are significantly smaller than 0.4 μm (the wavelength of the blue/violet or lower limit of the visible spectrum) can also scatter visible radiation. Reddish colours at sunset and sunrise result from Rayleigh scattering; these longer wavelengths pass directly through the atmosphere to the observer, while particles in the air scatter out radiation of shorter wavelengths. The phenomenon was described by the English physicist Baron Rayleigh ( John William Strutt, 1842–1919). See also Mie scattering.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-Rayleighscattering.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-Rayleighscattering.html |
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Rayleigh scattering
Rayleigh scattering The scattering of electromagnetic radiation by spherical particles with radii that are less than 10% that of the wavelength of the incident radiation. Such scattering by air molecules produces the blue effect of the sky. Particles such as dust and smoke, that are significantly smaller than 0.4 μm (the wavelength of the blue/violet or lower limit of the visible spectrum) can also scatter visible radiation. Reddish colours at sunset and sunrise result from Rayleigh scattering; these longer wavelengths pass directly through the atmosphere to the observer, while particles in the air scatter out radiation of shorter wavelengths. See also MIE SCATTERING.
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Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Rayleighscattering.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-Rayleighscattering.html |
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Rayleigh scattering
Rayleigh scattering The scattering of light by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the light. The amount of scattering increases as the wavelength gets shorter, so blue light is scattered more than red light. The incoming beam is scattered equally forwards and backwards. Rayleigh scattering of sunlight by molecules in air is the cause of the blue colour of the daylight sky. It is named after the English physicist Lord Rayleigh (1842–1919).
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Cite this article
"Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Rayleighscattering.html "Rayleigh scattering." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Rayleighscattering.html |
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