Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?

 

The sky is an unobstructed view upward from the surface of the Earth. It includes the atmosphere and outer space. It may also be considered a place between the ground and outer space, thus distinct from outer space.

The sky is composed of the atmosphere, which forms an airy barrier between the Earth and beyond. The atmosphere is made up of gasses. Its main ingredient is nitrogen, but it also contains 21 percent oxygen and 1 percent water vapour. Traces of other gases like carbon monoxide and argon are part of the atmosphere too.

Gases in the atmosphere like carbon dioxide, methane and water vapour trap some of the heat from the sun’s rays, which would otherwise go back out into space. This keeps the Earth at a comfortable temperature and prevents it from getting too cold – like a giant greenhouse.

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?

It’s not just a coincidence or a random choice by nature. The blue colour of the sky is actually due to the way sunlight interacts with our atmosphere. As sunlight enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it collides with molecules in the air, scattering the light in different directions. Blue light, with its shorter wavelength, is more easily scattered than other colours, giving the sky its characteristic blue hue. So next time you look up at the sky, remember it’s not just a pretty colour, but a fascinating scientific phenomenon.