How Does Rayleigh Scattering ACTUALLY Work? (The Blue Sky)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 มิ.ย. 2024
- There are bunch of videos out there explaining why the sky is blue, but let's go a little deeper into the optics. Why does color matter? What's a vibrational resonance? What's actually happening on the subatomic level?
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OTHER SOURCES
spaceplace.nasa.gov/blue-sky/en/
hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/...
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hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/...
farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching...
munley.weebly.com/resonance-an...
www.nat.vu.nl/en/sec/atom/Publ...
www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i...
www.engineeringtoolbox.com/me...
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Optics by Hecht
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*Question 1: Are skies on other planets a different color?* Yes, absolutely! For example, the sky on Mars is pink! This is because the martian atmosphere is 95% carbon dioxide and filled with dust. Different atmospheric compositions means different colors. Dust, ash, and even water droplets can affect how scattering works.
*Question 2: Why does the sky look transparent from space?* Because the blue in the sky isn't actually that bright (relatively speaking). The light from Rayleigh scattering is only about 2-3% of the total light arriving from the Sun. The reason we see it from the ground is because there's only the black emptiness of space behind it. If you're looking down from space, the other 97-98% of the light is scattering off the solid and liquid surface of the Earth. It overpowers the blue sky.
*Question 3: By absorb, do you mean electrons jumping orbitals?* No 🤦♂️ I said at 2:34 that we're talking about classical physics here. No quantum mechanics. No Einstein's relativity. There is more than one type of absorption. I talk about this in the following video: th-cam.com/video/1n_otIs6z6E/w-d-xo.html
*Question 4: Isn't all purple light a combination of red and blue?* Most of it is, but a tiny fraction of it is monochromatic. The monochromatic stuff just isn't very visible. I've taught many classes where I show the students the Hydrogen spectrum, which has a purple line at 410 nm. It's monochromatic purple, but _at best_ only 50% of a class full of students can see it.
I am so sick and tired of bad science explanations, making things more complicated than they really are. The reason why the sky is blue is simply because that is the color of our atmosphere, so faint that is it not possible to discern on short distances. Very, very easy to understand. Rayleigh scattering, on the other side, explain why the sky often shift in other colors around the sun, or why the same phenomenon appear in diamonds and other materials.
@@Stroheim333 The reason that life exists is that it started existing once. Simple enough for ya? Yeah, no? Fuck you. Of course, you can make something much more simple, but it may not lead to a satisfying answer. And still, why is blue the color of the atmosphere then? That's basically the same question as why the sky is blue, so you haven't really answered anything.
why is the sky deeper blue when im looking at the sky directly above me, while the skies on the horizon appear lighter
"And now you know better" a "knowing better" reference, not many catched, even though you wear the other clue :D
I never even considered that there are two kinds of purple. Real purple, and purple from mixed red and blue
I’m glad Clone asks these questions
that mother.
I really want this clone to question about slowing of light in things like glass, but in deeper!
Because then we get more awesome videos!
The world needs more Question Clones!
Qlone is a role model for us. Always curious about everything.
I have been wondering for a long time why there's no better explanation of why the sky is blue on TH-cam considering the phenomena is way more complex. You just did it. And I would like to go even deeper. One question that usually arises in physics courses is how does the scattering wins over the fact that light, in the resonant frequency of atmospheric molecules, is the most absorbed by those molecules. It is the kind of topic that seems extremely simple but has a lot of devil in the details, and makes you wonder about the colors of the skies of other planets, with other chemical compositions, densities and vertical structures. Fascinating topic. Thank you!
@Miki P What do you mean by scattering wins over the fact that light is most absorbed by those molecules?
@@DANGJOS I didn't understand that either
@Dr Deuteron I would have to review my complex variables class from university to get a full grasp. I suppose I could read the basic idea later, but for now, how does that relate to the question?
@Dr Deuteron Interesting thanks
> how does the scattering wins over the fact that light, in the resonant frequency of atmospheric molecules, is the most absorbed by those molecules.
Because molecules cannot absorb infinite amounts of energy? How would that be hard to answer?
You're trying to actually explain how it works rather than give a simplified solution is what sets your channel apart from every other. You're the best, Nick. Keep doing this.
There *are* other channels that explains just as thoroughly. But I don't understand a single word they say, apart from the occasional *uhmn* *errr* and *welllllll*
@@thomasraahauge5231 lol
I have a 4 year old. Not only has she asked me recently about the sky being blue.... But because she loves Go Fish, I was like, "Question Clone just went twice??!?"
She's a pretty good crazy apparently.
That's wonderful!
Better not play poker with Question Clone 😁
Remember, it's okay to be a small crazy (like your daughter).
Q: Why is the sky blue?
A: Because it is sad.
Q: Why is the sky sad?
A: Because Question Clone stole its turn.
You stalker
a better question is: how does he keep his lab coat so white??
@@Blox117 It only *appears* to be white. It is many-coloured, but only the most mindful will be observant enough to tell the difference.
@@thomasraahauge5231
This is like the most amazing science channel on TH-cam
Elias Williamsson agreed. Lots of difficult concepts for me, like how lenses work, has been very much cleared up by this guys channel.
By a long, loong, loooooong, shot.
Must not go on TH-cam often
I agree
*pbs space time
Great shout out to the Knowing Better channel! I was gonna comment, " And now you know better" but you beat me to it.
Keep up with the deep questions, that's the thing I love bout this channel
No black holes anymore?
I've noticed that when the sun is high in the sky, the sky looks whiter towards the horizon and bluer towards the zenith.
That's just your Retinal Corneas burning out...just kidding, but really stop staring into the Sun
What makes Nick Lucid's videos especially unique is the very fact that, he as a professional physist, explains physical phenomena at a profound level without utilizing complex mathematics. The majority of videos merely focus on superficial explanations or incredibly difficult mathematical derivations. You sir, have found, the exquisite compromise between clearity and complexity. Thanks again.
When I do a fire prevention talk for sixth grade children in their science class, I like to show them the thermal imaging camera. I explain that the camera can see through smoke for the same reason that the sky is blue and then explain, in very simple terms, about Rayleigh scattering. I then explain that the wavelength of the long wave IR that our bodies give off is so much longer than visible light that even smoke cannot scatter it. It's good to let them see how things are related in the world. Then I show them an image of someone wearing glasses and explain that, even though glass is transparent to visible light, it's totally opaque to long IR.
This is awesome! I've been reading articles and watching videos in the past few days to better my understanding of this. Your video is the first that explains the concepts so clearly in sequence. Thanks for going deep and breaking things down with great graphics and clear explanations!!
I would say this is by far the most satisfying explanation that I have heard for this question.
Years late but your fans would love to hear you explaining stuff other people have touched on because you make it so much easier to understand and explain in great detail. Been binging all your videos
Almost every single episode deals with problems that I knew/heard/have had explained before. It's just that this guy very often adds a different viewpoint, profoundly enhancing my own insights and understanding. Thank you very much!!
You did a fantastic job breaking this down, it's really easy to understand with your teaching.
Man, thanks a lot for these quality videos. The visual demonstrations and the preciseness when using technical terms.
Best Explanation YET! Totally worth your time to make and worth our time to watch. THANK YOU!
There may have been a lot of videos made before this but I'm glad you made this one. It is definitely one of the more definitive videos of light scattering. Thanks.
I have watched many videos on this topic. I have to say that this one was the most informative as to why Rayleigh scattering works like this. Congratulations you just won a subscriber!
WOW... just realize you are at almost 200k subs. I found your channel when you had around 7k. You're proof that if you make good content, your channel will grow... doesn't matter how "saturated" the market for educational videos is, like some people say. Hope you keep growing and making awesome content.
Every day, there are more and more channels on TH-cam, but there are also more and more viewers. I don't think we're anywhere near a saturation point.
Awesome Mateus! I remember seeing 30k subs when I found this.
Nick: Love your easy-to-understand-but-not-insulting-our-intelligence explanations!
Keep it up!!
and soon he'll take over the world, mwuahaha, mwuuaahahahahaah, mmmwwwwuuuuaaahhahahahahahaha *cough*
A squirrel brought me here - and I'm staying! 😄
@@CrazyAssDrumma Ooh, ooh, ooh! Yes! Let him take over the world. Sane people have been running this world for long enough! Wait a minute . . . *ARE* they sane?
So smoothly and wonderfully explained. didn't get confused for even a bit. you are truly gifted. Keep up the good work
As usual, you took something I thought I understood, showed me I didn't really understand it, then explained it. Well done!
The video ending was unexpected for this channel haha. Loved it though.
I can’t thank you enough for covering the material I learned in optics. I’m glad i know the equations and the concepts but it can be extremely difficult to put all the pieces together. Thanks!
You're welcome 🤓
@@ScienceAsylum I have a question for you Nick.
But first, thanks a lot. For the first time ever in my life, all the questions that used to I pop in my mind whenever even I explained to someone "why the sky is blue" have been resolved. I guess I never tried to get the questions out from the mind to the mouth. Thanks for your video!
My question is -
The resonance of O3 molecules lie in which range? Is it in the UV range too as the Ozone layer absorbs UV rays (or does it reflect it?) And how does it exactly "reflect" it is it doesn't absorb?.
- The N2 and O2 molecules also absorb UV rays which they scatter too, which reaches us...so isn't that harmful?
sorry my questions might seem childish but please clear them up for me! I would understand better
I like the way you summarize everything in the end, it helps to concreting the concepts.
Love this channel, beside the "obvious" info each videos does, the whole format teaches another very important lesson as well, the importance of questioning everything you work with or even make yourself as well
I have not understood Rayleigh Scattering until now, what a great explanation!
Also, we know a little bit more about the English peerage system . . .
Oh yeah, love some good old harmonic oscillator :D Crazy how applicable this model is in physics!
Really enjoyed your deeper take on this question. Satisfying our nerd needs :D
It's great when you create videos on popular topics, I always learn new deeper information. Amazing work!
Very good explanation. Much better than the other videos you referred to. In depth without getting lost in the details.
When I just watched this video, TH-cam showed 1k upvotes and 0 downvotes. I’ve literally never seen an infinite voting ratio before on TH-cam, and it was well-earned. What a great video.
No thumb down accettable for this absolutely super video. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Darn... One person didn't see your comment.
This was the best explanation I have ever heard, with the graphics a big help too.
I was quite vague on the details until now.
This is the second time that I've been looking for a little more detailed description on a subject on TH-cam, and your video was the only one that didn't waste my time. So thank you for that.
You're welcome 🤓
Nice animations :) The ones with the moving red and blue diatomic molecules moving over a smokey background with the science Asylum logo inlayed at 1:55 really makes a cool 3d effect with the molecules popping out of the screen like auto stereo-grams do.
The "gas" at 1:54 looked like a force based particle simulation. I played it again at slower speed and wasn't disappointed :)
Reminds me of a simulation a wrote some time ago, though it was with asymmetric forces and three colors/flavors of forces and particles.
This was a super cool video! I'm glad you went into a lot of detail; I've never heard about the QM specifics of Rayleigh scattering before.
I like that you do a recap at the end of the videos. I think it helps tie everything together rather than just leaving you with a bunch of facts. We learn the facts, then we get to see the full mechanism working.
Surely there will be something new i will know today about this basic topic.
This is the clearest description of Rayleigh Scattering. Kudos!
That has to be the best, most complete explanation I’ve heard. Thank you.
the best explanation I've seen! can't believe I did not know about that channel till now
1.1K likes and 1 dislike?! That's *0.1%* disposes!! I don't think I've ever seen such a great ratio on *any* video before!!
One dislike? *ONE* dislike? I blame poor mouse control or sub-par aiming skill. Who cleans *THAT* guy's bathroom?
Man.. you're too good!!
I'm really glad Clone asked these questions
Always manage to explain simply yet never miss a detail
Oh hey, I learned this in science class. This is like a cool review.
This is the 8th time I saw u in last 3 hours.
Everybody likes it Deeper. Why is the universe cosmic latte coloured?
I liked this video, though I knew about Rayleigh Scattering there are parts I had never really thought about.
Colored*
@@Mikey-ym6ok Coloured*
@@Mikey-ym6ok ?
@@Mikey-ym6ok Potato-tomato . . .
@@crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352 PotAHtoe-tomAHtoe . . .
You have just made science a lot easier for me. All my doubts are cleared by watching your videos. Thank you so much 🙂
I have been searching for this for quite sone time. I love that it is specific and discusses the science in a way that answers all my questions. Many TH-cam presenters give generic explanations but this is science gold.
Thank you that was such a better explanation than the very simple light bouncing off of molecules in the atmosphere
The editing is also so perfect! I love how the clones react as if it's already present there. Seems like he has a twin!
Perfect editing is TIGHT!
He has a klÔÔne! He has many klÔÔnes! With stÔÔlen aydendeeties!
That was a world class video! You’re explanations and accompanying video are very clear, informative and entertaining. Nick, you deserve much success.
Best video I've seen on this topic. This channel is best on youtube!
I love that you usually show us which equation is useful to describe a phenomenon, but I wouldn’t mind you crunching some numbers with it. Just to show that, yes, in fact nitrogen and oxygen causes the blue-ish light in the upper atmosphere.
But other than that, I’m a fan as always!
Finally. An in depth explanation of why the sky is blue. Now I get it!
Thank you Nick! Great video, like always :)
Thank you yet again for explaining the good stuff at a deeper level than most of youtube😀
Thank you for your hard work.. I am glad u do these things.. I am fed up of people answering the blue sky problem with "it's scattering". What does that mean? they don't even try to understand. All other video explanations are just so noob like. Thank u again.
Well that explains why we can see each other perfectly without looking blue-ish on the surface
Keep going man! Hope your channel never stops releasing new videos :)
Great job. It was very clear to me. You are really mastering your TH-cam video craft, IMHO.
I love this! I'm writing a piece on climate change, and I had used a remark about light scattering. So, when I saw your video, I thought hell, I HAVE to sit and watch this, right now. haha. Great timing! I didn't know that rayleigh scattering was an upper-atmosphere phenomenon. Now I do, and I even know why! Great video, as always! :D
if youre writing about climate change dont forget to include the weakening magnetic poles
That was an outstanding explanation. I have a background in physics, and I teach physics and I found it to be very insightful.
Thanks! 🤓
This is the best video on Rayleigh scattering ever 🔥🔥 Love the work you do Nick ❤️❤️
The way you study is just awesome,you tell from background and history to real deepness
"Now you know better".
I see what you did there.
I don't get
@KnowingBetter probably would like to be tagged into this
We this deep enough? Hard to say, but it's the best one I've seen on the topic, the only one that made it clear that the scattering is altitude dependent.
SUPERB !!! As usual...lucid, enthusiastic, informative, positively knowledge-adding ...in short...enlightening !!!
Excellent, I love your optics videos!
I remember reading in a book about the big 3's: the sky is blue because air molecules are just the right size to scatter blue light preferentially. Normal clouds are white because water molecules are just the right size to scatter all light equally. And rain clouds are black because the water no longer exists as independent molecules but as macroscopic droplets that no longer scatter light but absorb/block it. So simple, yet so elegant. That's why I love physics ☺️
Try to read the equations and you'll change your mind :)
@@thenerdguy9985 oh my... That reminds me of the Fresnel equations that picked my interest but I don't seem to understand them yet. Should go back to them now that you remind me!
@@nana00037 wait which fresnel equations? There are many of them like fresnel coefficient, fresnel diffraction. By the way, which class cause I too had fresnel equations this sem.
636 likes, 0 dislikes
We science guys just holding together ;)
Who would dislike a blue sky? 😁
8.8k likes, 69 dislikes now
Wow mind blown. I have never had that explained in such detail. So fantastic.
Excellent as always. Keep going and thanks!
"Now you know better."
I understood that reference 🖐
I didn't even notice his shirt until he said that. Brains are weird.
Enlighten me, oh bright one.
@@vertexrikers th-cam.com/channels/8XjmAEDVZSCQjI150cb4QA.html
always learn something new about the things i thought i knew, that's why i like being one of the 'crazies'
although it was a bit weird to not to watch you use quantum for this
Glad i knew this... But that's an awesome explanation. I just love your channel. Keep it up 🙌
The best explanation ever of why the sky is blue. You always turn complicate topics to be easy.
"That wiggeling creates its own light." what a beautiful sentence. A 6 word epiphany - problem solved. Or is it? Let's go deeper and explain "clear air" as well. Oh and by the way: we're not done yet. Just why I love this channel ❤
The note about some people having trouble to see monochromatic purple - it feels like this _finally_ explains why sometimes I have disagreements with people regarding black light bulbs!? I would claim most of them being too bright in the visible range. Just too visible to produce a nice effect, while others claim they are so dim they're almost invisible. Need to look up if there are any statistics about upper wavelength perception of light, as there are regarding the frequency of sound, too.
Answer to depth: yep, just the right amount.
Ps: ok. I need to buy a good prism and setup a test to project the light spectrum onto a sheet of paper, where I can let people draw the outer edge of "the colored line". If they draw different lines, these should reflect their personal limit of perception. Any flaw in that approach?
You have to get the illumination exactly identical in each test - so use a room which you can black out so only the same artificial light source is on every time. Also, let the test subject get used to the illumination before they draw, as sensitivity to light adjust with the level of light present.
Finally, the presence of glasses or contact lenses might have an impact.
@@migBdk aye, I considered the test conditions, but glasses/contacts is a good addition - thanks!
Hey Nicks. Idea.
Video on, "why is space black."
It's beige!!!
Once my friend asked "How do we know that space is empty?". I'm not sure did explanation "In case if space is not empty, due to friction of Earth to this space substance we could fall on the Sun." enough?
@@user-yq6qt1mq9k that's a good one, because the Earth's orbit does change. I think our days are nearly 2ms longer than 100 years ago (feel free to correct me.)
It's not black. The light is just very faint and at a frequency our eyes can't see, but our instruments can.
@@crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352 The average light from stars, galaxies, etc. is the cosmic latte, but "empty" space isn't beige.
You deserve a great salute.
You cleared my whole confusion.
Thank you so much for your help with this matter👍👍
Another great video! Extremely informative and hugely entertaining...as usual! Thanks.
Nerd Clone™ needs a full episode to host.
I noticed the KnowingBetter reference at the end! Can't get an shoutout to an educational youtuber by me...
Amazing! Thanks for explaining this phenomenon in such a clear and fun way!
My youtube search "sky blue lights" made me discover this channel, and this explaination was awesome, so I just subscribed and I will soon watch more videos from this channel
There is ANOTHER reason that the sky is blue: Oxygen itself is blue. The atmosphere is equivalent to circa 7 meters of liquid air. Take a look at liquid oxygen some time. It is itself sky blue. The oxygen over our heads is equivalent in absorption to circa 1.4 meters of liquid oxygen. This is very difficult to see in gaseous form at ordinary pressure, but it is possible by repeated reflection via mirrors. If you look through the gaseous equivalent of 1.4 meters of liquid oxygen, the blue is readily apparent. The oxygen molecule has two absorption bands at at 557.7 nm (green) and 630 nm (red). Subtract green and red from light and what is left is blue. Not that Rayleigh scattering is not true, but this is an additional effect that is commonly overlooked.
"Did I go deep enough for you?" - Nick Lucid 2020
Yes, he is go deep enough, until I don't understand again about Rayleigh scattering
From Don't understand > understand (in the nutshell) > Don't understand (again) LOL
@@prfm_setya95 That's how science work 😁
@@thomasraahauge5231 jajaja
Thank you so much. You just make me feel the physcis and all those quantum stuff.
Thank you again ❤️
Probably the best explanation out there. Great video
It's *never* deep enough!
( ͡• ͜ʖ ͡• )
"everyone and their mother has done that video"
Yes, but I'm watching this still for some reason... But whhhyyyyy
thank you very much this video is amazing, I was looking for anything that could explain the Rayleigh Scattering but all the sources that I found were never going through the details of that phenomenon and it's the first video that explain why the sky is blue while being understandable and using good words. Thank you very much for your video, you did an amazing job and I hope your TH-cam channel will continue to rise !
Glad you liked it! 🤓
“Did I go deep enough for you?”
🤔
I mean, I can’t be the only one who sees how dirty that sounds
Don't worry, you'll never be able to go too deep, otherwise she would have let you know, like right away...🤔
Jermany X “pls, don’t poke my uterus”
( ͡• ͜ʖ ͡• )
Always a pleasure to hear your explanation
Another enjoyable video. Your students are lucky to have such a great teacher.
Thanks for the deeper look
It's basic but fundamental
.....
But now I want more videos from you on tensors
Brilliant explanation, Nick. Much appreciated.
Thanks 🤓