1. When the sun rises our surroundings appear illuminated. The entire sky appears bright.
2. This happens because of the dust and other tiny particles in the air. This is the scattering of sunlight by the tiny particles of the various constituents of air.
3. Had there been no atmosphere, the sky would have appeared dark during the day and of course, the sun would be directly seen.
4. This has been verified by observations from the rockets and satellites which go out of the earth’s atmosphere.
Apparatus: A table lamp with a 60 or 100 W milky bulb (LED will not do), thick black paper, sticking tape, a packing needle, 100/200 ml. glass beaker, milk or milk powder, dropper, spoon, etc.
Procedure: Cover the mouth of the lampshade properly with black paper, using sticking tape. Prick a hole of 1 to 2mm diameter in the center of the paper with the help of the packing needle.
1. Take clear water in the beaker. Light the bulb and place the beaker in contact with the hole.
2. Observe from the front and at an angle of 90°.
3. Now add 2-3 drops of milk to the water and stir. Observe again.
4. A few more drops of milk may have to be added to make the water turbid.
5. A blue tinge is seen when observed along the 90° angle. This is the scattered blue light.
6. Because the blue light is scattered, a redyellow light is seen from the front, and the hole appears reddish.
