Color of clouds

Classical Mechanics Level 1

Why do clouds appear white in color?

Why is smoke white in color?

Note: The same answer applies to both the questions.

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Molecules of clouds are larger than wavelength of light so they scatter all colors to equal extent They do not scatter different colors of light There are so many gaps between the molecules in the cloud that light passes undeviated The water molecules in the cloud absorb light

Ram Mohith by Ram Mohith , 18, India

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1 solution

Ram Mohith
Mar 1, 2018

The primary condition for light to scatter is that the particles should be smaller in size then the wavelength of light. In clouds the particles are larger in size than the wavelength of light. So the paticles of the cloud scatter the different colours of light to the same extent and hence the clouds get their white colour .

7 Helpful 2 Interesting 0 Brilliant 0 Confused

Please use the word “particles” instead of “molecules”. The clouds are made of tiny water droplets. These droplets are much much larger than the water molecules.

Laszlo Mihaly - 3 years, 3 months ago

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thank u sir

Ram Mohith - 3 years, 3 months ago

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