How Does Rayleigh Scattering ACTUALLY Work? (The Blue Sky)

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ม.ค. 2025

ความคิดเห็น • 1.3K

  • @ScienceAsylum
    @ScienceAsylum  4 ปีที่แล้ว +404

    *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.

    • @Stroheim333
      @Stroheim333 4 ปีที่แล้ว +10

      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.

    • @randomguy263
      @randomguy263 4 ปีที่แล้ว +80

      @@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.

    • @superkamehameha1744
      @superkamehameha1744 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      why is the sky deeper blue when im looking at the sky directly above me, while the skies on the horizon appear lighter

    • @CraftyF0X
      @CraftyF0X 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      "And now you know better" a "knowing better" reference, not many catched, even though you wear the other clue :D

    • @CrazyAssDrumma
      @CrazyAssDrumma 4 ปีที่แล้ว +15

      I never even considered that there are two kinds of purple. Real purple, and purple from mixed red and blue

  • @kadourimdou43
    @kadourimdou43 5 ปีที่แล้ว +421

    I’m glad Clone asks these questions

    • @nibblrrr7124
      @nibblrrr7124 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      that mother.

    • @sevcandincel
      @sevcandincel 5 ปีที่แล้ว +8

      I really want this clone to question about slowing of light in things like glass, but in deeper!

    • @Joyexer
      @Joyexer 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      Because then we get more awesome videos!

    • @BoWeava
      @BoWeava 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The world needs more Question Clones!

    • @neerkoli
      @neerkoli 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Qlone is a role model for us. Always curious about everything.

  • @amaljay8158
    @amaljay8158 5 ปีที่แล้ว +134

    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.

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      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*

    • @Warlord_Megatron
      @Warlord_Megatron 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@thomasraahauge5231 lol

  • @mikip3242
    @mikip3242 5 ปีที่แล้ว +352

    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!

    • @DANGJOS
      @DANGJOS 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      @Miki P What do you mean by scattering wins over the fact that light is most absorbed by those molecules?

    • @guisilva9815
      @guisilva9815 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@DANGJOS I didn't understand that either

    • @DANGJOS
      @DANGJOS 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @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?

    • @DANGJOS
      @DANGJOS 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @Dr Deuteron Interesting thanks

    • @whuzzzup
      @whuzzzup 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      > 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?

  • @eliaswilliamsson8553
    @eliaswilliamsson8553 5 ปีที่แล้ว +198

    This is like the most amazing science channel on TH-cam

    • @johnsushi2007
      @johnsushi2007 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Elias Williamsson agreed. Lots of difficult concepts for me, like how lenses work, has been very much cleared up by this guys channel.

    • @Mo95793
      @Mo95793 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      By a long, loong, loooooong, shot.

    • @IzzyRamos
      @IzzyRamos 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Must not go on TH-cam often

    • @Nikhilbt-sq5hf
      @Nikhilbt-sq5hf 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree

    • @enkaramessi10
      @enkaramessi10 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      *pbs space time

  • @jookzie3026
    @jookzie3026 5 ปีที่แล้ว +87

    Keep up with the deep questions, that's the thing I love bout this channel

  • @playgroundchooser
    @playgroundchooser 5 ปีที่แล้ว +106

    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.

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

      That's wonderful!

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Better not play poker with Question Clone 😁

    • @RibusPQR
      @RibusPQR 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Remember, it's okay to be a small crazy (like your daughter).

  • @lsgreger2645
    @lsgreger2645 5 ปีที่แล้ว +49

    Great shout out to the Knowing Better channel! I was gonna comment, " And now you know better" but you beat me to it.

  • @jelleoudega116
    @jelleoudega116 4 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    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.

  • @Master_Therion
    @Master_Therion 5 ปีที่แล้ว +231

    Q: Why is the sky blue?
    A: Because it is sad.
    Q: Why is the sky sad?
    A: Because Question Clone stole its turn.

    • @kbbeats3099
      @kbbeats3099 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      You stalker

    • @Blox117
      @Blox117 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      a better question is: how does he keep his lab coat so white??

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@Blox117 It only *appears* to be white. It is many-coloured, but only the most mindful will be observant enough to tell the difference.

    • @Blox117
      @Blox117 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@thomasraahauge5231

  • @MateusAntonioBittencourt
    @MateusAntonioBittencourt 5 ปีที่แล้ว +65

    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.

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  5 ปีที่แล้ว +32

      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.

    • @Mr-Garibaldi
      @Mr-Garibaldi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      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!!

    • @CrazyAssDrumma
      @CrazyAssDrumma 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      and soon he'll take over the world, mwuahaha, mwuuaahahahahaah, mmmwwwwuuuuaaahhahahahahahaha *cough*

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      A squirrel brought me here - and I'm staying! 😄

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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?

  • @bass-tones
    @bass-tones 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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.

  • @kevinhoang1075
    @kevinhoang1075 4 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    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!!

  • @johns7734
    @johns7734 4 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    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.

  • @bikespj22
    @bikespj22 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    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

  • @draenthor
    @draenthor 5 ปีที่แล้ว +41

    I've noticed that when the sun is high in the sky, the sky looks whiter towards the horizon and bluer towards the zenith.

    • @Boozley
      @Boozley 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      That's just your Retinal Corneas burning out...just kidding, but really stop staring into the Sun

    • @hy3m33
      @hy3m33 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes! Since more colors are being scattered as the sun’s rays travel farther down the atmosphere, the addition of other colors effectively reduces the “saturation” of the blue sky!

  • @ericfunke
    @ericfunke 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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!!

  • @georgegeorgopoulos1861
    @georgegeorgopoulos1861 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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!

  • @flythereddflagg
    @flythereddflagg 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I would say this is by far the most satisfying explanation that I have heard for this question.

  • @behradghn
    @behradghn 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    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.

  • @gistnoesis9116
    @gistnoesis9116 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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.

  • @inflxshn6175
    @inflxshn6175 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @PaulPaulPaulson
    @PaulPaulPaulson 5 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    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.

  • @EchoDotHex
    @EchoDotHex 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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.

  • @dakotahballard6755
    @dakotahballard6755 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I have not understood Rayleigh Scattering until now, what a great explanation!

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Also, we know a little bit more about the English peerage system . . .

  • @sngash
    @sngash 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks!

  • @BenJamin-wu8jv
    @BenJamin-wu8jv 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    The video ending was unexpected for this channel haha. Loved it though.

  • @rasanmar18
    @rasanmar18 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The best explanation ever of why the sky is blue. You always turn complicate topics to be easy.

  • @ets9191
    @ets9191 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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!

  • @davemmar
    @davemmar 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    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.

  • @altuber99_athlete
    @altuber99_athlete 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Man, thanks a lot for these quality videos. The visual demonstrations and the preciseness when using technical terms.

  • @DJ_Force
    @DJ_Force 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    As usual, you took something I thought I understood, showed me I didn't really understand it, then explained it. Well done!

  • @laurac2081
    @laurac2081 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    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!

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You're welcome 🤓

    • @WorldisOne
      @WorldisOne 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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

  • @orshteinfeld4035
    @orshteinfeld4035 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    the best explanation I've seen! can't believe I did not know about that channel till now

  • @tatjanagobold2810
    @tatjanagobold2810 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    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

  • @Lucky10279
    @Lucky10279 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm really excited that you and Jade are finally doing a collab! She mentioned it in her livestream tonight. And I'm especially excited to hear you both talk about Noether's theorem more. Ever since your first video on it where I learned that energy and momentum actually _aren't_ always conserved, I've been interested. That video blew my mind.

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I know, right?! It's finally happening! Of course, now that she's made it public neither one of us can back out 😂😂 Anyway, her critique of other people's Noether's theorem videos is fair even mine from many years ago was shallow like that 🤷‍♂️ Doing this as a collab should make both videos better.

    • @Lucky10279
      @Lucky10279 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ScienceAsylum Wait, were you actually thinking about backing out or are you kidding?

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      😂 I was kidding. Honestly though, I hope everyone knowing about it this early doesn't over-hype it.

    • @Lucky10279
      @Lucky10279 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ScienceAsylum I don't think that many people actually know. There were less than 300 people present during her livestream. Some people probably watched it afterward but I doubt that many, since livestreams don't usually get nearly as many views as other videos.

  • @crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352
    @crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352 5 ปีที่แล้ว +48

    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.

  • @tsopmocful1958
    @tsopmocful1958 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    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.

  • @泰陽
    @泰陽 5 ปีที่แล้ว +18

    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!

    • @feynstein1004
      @feynstein1004 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Perfect editing is TIGHT!

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      He has a klÔÔne! He has many klÔÔnes! With stÔÔlen aydendeeties!

  • @chiefdvm1671
    @chiefdvm1671 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Ok...so this topic was being taught us in school, but it was still not clear enough. Now that I saw this video, it really made things clear. We were only taught that scattering is inversely proportional to wavelength of the light. When sunlight comes in contact with the earth when it is still day, the light interacts with the earth's atmosphere much less when it is at the horizon, so that is why the light which is scattered least is blue and that is why it reaches our eyes. But still, I didn't understand many things. But this video taught me much more. Thank you Nick!!!

  • @DANGJOS
    @DANGJOS 5 ปีที่แล้ว +20

    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!!

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      One dislike? *ONE* dislike? I blame poor mouse control or sub-par aiming skill. Who cleans *THAT* guy's bathroom?

  • @SaharaSmith-h2n
    @SaharaSmith-h2n ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This is amazing, thank you! I'm studying color science, and it has been very frustrating to try to find the answer for this question. Everyone that I ask just says "it's because of scattering, and short wavelengths scatter more than long wavelengths". This video has really helped me understand what Rayleigh scattering is, and why other objects that scatter light are not blue.

  • @joannapente
    @joannapente 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Finally. An in depth explanation of why the sky is blue. Now I get it!

  • @akshitparikh635
    @akshitparikh635 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I like the way you summarize everything in the end, it helps to concreting the concepts.

  • @TheRealGuywithoutaMustache
    @TheRealGuywithoutaMustache 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Oh hey, I learned this in science class. This is like a cool review.

    • @bk-sl8ee
      @bk-sl8ee 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      This is the 8th time I saw u in last 3 hours.

  • @MuhammadUmar-le9lp
    @MuhammadUmar-le9lp 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Best video I've seen on this topic. This channel is best on youtube!

  • @jaredhouston4223
    @jaredhouston4223 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    You did a fantastic job breaking this down, it's really easy to understand with your teaching.

  • @PeterMatisko
    @PeterMatisko 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    It's great when you create videos on popular topics, I always learn new deeper information. Amazing work!

  • @wifightit
    @wifightit 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    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

    • @SevenPr1me
      @SevenPr1me 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      if youre writing about climate change dont forget to include the weakening magnetic poles

  • @solapowsj25
    @solapowsj25 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Most answers I'd gotten earlier did mention scattering of blue light in the upper atmosphere. But here's the first time that importance is given to the resonance of nitrogen and oxygen atoms determined by the space between the atoms or molecules. Makes the answer sound. Thank you.

  • @stefaniasmanio859
    @stefaniasmanio859 5 ปีที่แล้ว +26

    No thumb down accettable for this absolutely super video. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

    • @Blubb5000
      @Blubb5000 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Darn... One person didn't see your comment.

  • @GummieI
    @GummieI 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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

  • @ahgflyguy
    @ahgflyguy 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    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.

  • @akankshagahlaut3367
    @akankshagahlaut3367 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    So smoothly and wonderfully explained. didn't get confused for even a bit. you are truly gifted. Keep up the good work

  • @familia3sgte
    @familia3sgte 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is the clearest description of Rayleigh Scattering. Kudos!

  • @aliyadliki760
    @aliyadliki760 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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 !

  • @vertexrikers
    @vertexrikers 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    "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?

    • @migBdk
      @migBdk 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      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.

    • @vertexrikers
      @vertexrikers 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@migBdk aye, I considered the test conditions, but glasses/contacts is a good addition - thanks!

  • @Lucky10279
    @Lucky10279 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "No quantum mechanics needed!"
    You sounded so relieved when you said that.

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I was... although, I only managed to avoid it because I didn't explain why the resonant frequency is UV for nitrogen and oxygen.

    • @Lucky10279
      @Lucky10279 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@ScienceAsylum I see. So QM really is hiding _everywhere._ 🤔 It's just a matter of how deep we want to go. Would you say that's accurate? Jade is
      going to do three videos on quantum biology, which I didn't even know was a thing until she announced the upcoming videos. Apparently birds somehow use QM to navigate. No idea how that works (which makes me extra excited for her video), but it makes me question just how many places QM is lurking in the background unnoticed. I guess it really comes back to how Physics is really all about modeling the Physical world using math. Depending on what aspects of something we care about, one model might be more useful than another, even if it's technically less accurate. I think you talked about that some in your video on Langrangian mechanics and how it makes some complicated problems in Newtonian mechanics way simpler, but other times using it would be like hitting a nail with a sledgehammer. I'm guessing bringing in QM here would have been overkill?

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I didn't know quantum biology was a thing until her and I were discussing it about a month ago. I'm pretty excited to see how she handles it. But yes, quantum is definitely at the bottom of everything. Isn't always necessary to go that deep, but it's always there... lurking in the shadows 😉 We could explain _everything_ with quantum mechanics if we wanted, but at scales larger than molecules the math quickly becomes impractical.

    • @Lucky10279
      @Lucky10279 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@ScienceAsylum Reminds me of an explanation I read about why we still use Newtonian mechanics instead of GR for most things. The person went through a very detailed example of just how complicated and tedious GR would make it to find the speed of a falling ball, whereas Newton's laws gave an answer that was, for all practical purposes, identical and took only a few lines to compute. I imagine trying to use QM for everything would be even worse. I guess it's like what you've said about tensors -- you don't want to use them unless you absolutely have to.

  • @dpilcher
    @dpilcher 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Thank you that was such a better explanation than the very simple light bouncing off of molecules in the atmosphere

  • @jfdavis668
    @jfdavis668 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Very good explanation. Much better than the other videos you referred to. In depth without getting lost in the details.

  • @kbbeats3099
    @kbbeats3099 5 ปีที่แล้ว +29

    Hey Nicks. Idea.
    Video on, "why is space black."

    • @crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352
      @crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's beige!!!

    • @МирославКашеба
      @МирославКашеба 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      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?

    • @crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352
      @crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@МирославКашеба 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.)

    • @lubricatedgoat
      @lubricatedgoat 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

      It's not black. The light is just very faint and at a frequency our eyes can't see, but our instruments can.

    • @TyronTention
      @TyronTention 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      @@crouchingtigerhiddenadam1352 The average light from stars, galaxies, etc. is the cosmic latte, but "empty" space isn't beige.

  • @sanchit7493
    @sanchit7493 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    9:04 Actually you are making our life easier in understanding concepts.

  • @MrMarco84
    @MrMarco84 5 ปีที่แล้ว +33

    636 likes, 0 dislikes
    We science guys just holding together ;)

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Who would dislike a blue sky? 😁

    • @SandaaaGW2
      @SandaaaGW2 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      8.8k likes, 69 dislikes now

  • @tommyanderson2785
    @tommyanderson2785 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Keep going man! Hope your channel never stops releasing new videos :)

  • @GalaxyOneFilms
    @GalaxyOneFilms 5 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    "Now you know better".
    I see what you did there.

    • @gurumage9555
      @gurumage9555 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      I don't get

    • @empresagabriel
      @empresagabriel 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @KnowingBetter probably would like to be tagged into this

  • @user-sb3wh3dd4v
    @user-sb3wh3dd4v 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Best Explanation YET! Totally worth your time to make and worth our time to watch. THANK YOU!

  • @kseriousr
    @kseriousr 5 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    "Now you know better."
    I understood that reference 🖐

    • @travcollier
      @travcollier 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I didn't even notice his shirt until he said that. Brains are weird.

    • @vertexrikers
      @vertexrikers 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Enlighten me, oh bright one.

    • @kseriousr
      @kseriousr 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@vertexrikers th-cam.com/channels/8XjmAEDVZSCQjI150cb4QA.html

  • @Andrewy27
    @Andrewy27 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I'm really glad Clone asked these questions

  • @bryanchambers1964
    @bryanchambers1964 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    That was an outstanding explanation. I have a background in physics, and I teach physics and I found it to be very insightful.

  • @peterwood6853
    @peterwood6853 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hey man, this channel is gold. I've been following you since 2 years now and I've learnt a lot from you. Thank you so much.
    I want this knowledge shared with most the the people so I share it with all my friends and classmate.
    Discovering your channel was a bit hard. Why don't you do collaboration video with other science channel or appear on podcasts and talk about science. You are really the best I've ever learnt from. Please I want you to have more views and subscribers and I'm doing my best sharing it.

    • @ScienceAsylum
      @ScienceAsylum  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Collabs are hard and I didn't often have time for them before. There's at least one coming this year though (possibly two).

    • @peterwood6853
      @peterwood6853 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@ScienceAsylum Do you need any help so that you can have more time?

  • @hamzamoulai7574
    @hamzamoulai7574 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Well that explains why we can see each other perfectly without looking blue-ish on the surface

  • @omerismail4378
    @omerismail4378 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Always manage to explain simply yet never miss a detail

  • @feynstein1004
    @feynstein1004 4 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    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 ☺️

    • @thenerdguy9985
      @thenerdguy9985 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Try to read the equations and you'll change your mind :)

    • @nana00037
      @nana00037 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@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!

    • @thenerdguy9985
      @thenerdguy9985 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@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.

  • @samuelbarreto6752
    @samuelbarreto6752 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Best Science channel on YTB, I wish it had more views and subscribers

  • @nehamotwani6477
    @nehamotwani6477 5 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Surely there will be something new i will know today about this basic topic.

  • @CitizenOfTheWorld2025
    @CitizenOfTheWorld2025 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That was a world class video! You’re explanations and accompanying video are very clear, informative and entertaining. Nick, you deserve much success.

  • @sanki1404
    @sanki1404 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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.

  • @II-th7bn
    @II-th7bn 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The way you study is just awesome,you tell from background and history to real deepness

  • @syd-ryan
    @syd-ryan 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Man.. you're too good!!

  • @DrHubie
    @DrHubie 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oooh, you got SO close to explaining why the sky light is polarized! Great video, by the way.

  • @ObjectsInMotion
    @ObjectsInMotion 5 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I noticed the KnowingBetter reference at the end! Can't get an shoutout to an educational youtuber by me...

  • @Mo95793
    @Mo95793 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    See, unlike most channels, when you make a video that I think I know the answer to, I immediately realize before even clicking, that there's something deeper going on. In fact the more obvious the question, the more this effect holds true.

  • @RobeonMew
    @RobeonMew 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Nerd Clone™ needs a full episode to host.

  • @MidnightSt
    @MidnightSt 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    "Rayleigh scattering.
    Named after... John William Strutt."
    -the best sentence in this video with the best timing in this video.

  • @zas3362
    @zas3362 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    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

  • @awwkanksha
    @awwkanksha 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You have just made science a lot easier for me. All my doubts are cleared by watching your videos. Thank you so much 🙂

  • @vothaison
    @vothaison 5 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    "Did I go deep enough for you?" - Nick Lucid 2020

    • @prfm_setya95
      @prfm_setya95 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      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

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@prfm_setya95 That's how science work 😁

    • @prfm_setya95
      @prfm_setya95 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@thomasraahauge5231 jajaja

  • @andrewballr
    @andrewballr 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    That has to be the best, most complete explanation I’ve heard. Thank you.

  • @ДмитрийОхримович-й9н
    @ДмитрийОхримович-й9н 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    8:38 that's what she said

  • @djconnel
    @djconnel 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Great video: not over-simplifying while not getting bogged down in equations.

  • @DavidFMayerPhD
    @DavidFMayerPhD 5 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    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.

  • @Sfaxx
    @Sfaxx 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I love how your videos occasionally contain "secret promotions" (like t-shirts, "now you know better", etc.)😄

  • @kalylbmmi
    @kalylbmmi 5 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    “Did I go deep enough for you?”

    • @desigamer8598
      @desigamer8598 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      🤔

    • @kalylbmmi
      @kalylbmmi 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I mean, I can’t be the only one who sees how dirty that sounds

    • @Boozley
      @Boozley 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Don't worry, you'll never be able to go too deep, otherwise she would have let you know, like right away...🤔

    • @kalylbmmi
      @kalylbmmi 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Jermany X “pls, don’t poke my uterus”

    • @thomasraahauge5231
      @thomasraahauge5231 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      ( ͡• ͜ʖ ͡• )

  • @soumyadipbanerjee6744
    @soumyadipbanerjee6744 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is the best video on Rayleigh scattering ever 🔥🔥 Love the work you do Nick ❤️❤️

  • @Deanzphx
    @Deanzphx 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    "everyone and their mother has done that video"
    Yes, but I'm watching this still for some reason... But whhhyyyyy

  • @riffitup
    @riffitup 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Seen a lot of videos on this topic. But I love this one the most.

  • @taw3e8
    @taw3e8 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    It's *never* deep enough!

  • @mercybellafiore3677
    @mercybellafiore3677 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    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.

  • @saujanyadas1339
    @saujanyadas1339 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Very nicely explained. Thank you.
    Can you make a video about Northern lights?

  • @edisonmecaj769
    @edisonmecaj769 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    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