How to explain to a child why the sky is blue. Why the sky is blue

We welcome the most inquisitive on the pages of our site! Today we will touch on a question that often worries inquisitive minds (especially children's), but not everyone finds an opportunity to figure out why is the sky blue because the air is actually transparent. Let's try to answer it briefly.

What does Wikipedia say?

If we don’t know something, then we can always find the answer in Wikipedia. So let's take a look there and see what this resource tells us.

As a matter of fact, here is a link to the relevant material.

Well said on Wikipedia! True, somehow it is not very clear. The only thing that can be sorted out is the fact that the sun's rays reach our atmosphere, something happens to them, and we see a blue sky. No, this will not work, let's try to figure it out in more detail and more plain language, why the sky is blue.

In fact, the reason for everything is such a thing as " light scattering»!

Light scattering

So, the Sun emits rays that are white. White, as you know, includes all the colors of the spectrum visible to us. Evidence of that - rainbow. It arises because sunlight, falling into water droplets, refracts and breaks up into different colors. We also observe blue skies for a similar reason.

This is how a rainbow is formed

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The fact is that there are many gas molecules in the air, which scatter sunlight. Light particles scatter in different directions, so the blue color of the sky is visible to both earthlings and astronauts from the ISS in the form of a blue halo. But why is it blue, because there are at least seven colors in the spectrum, as they say: "Every hunter wants to know where the pheasant is sitting!".

Interesting fact! A person inhales about 20 kg of air per day. We get this volume by taking 22,000 breaths a day.

Why is the sky blue?

Each color has its own wavelength. In the following figure, you can see how this indicator varies.

Violet diffuses too much, and the colors from green to red, on the contrary, do not scatter very intensively. So it turns out, blue and blue particles are golden mean. Violet, despite the fact that it scatters better than blue, we do not notice because of our perception: with the same brightness, blue is perceived by our eyes much better than its counterpart.

That's pretty much how it goes

Here is a good video on this topic, which helped us understand this issue:

Let's summarize

1. Sunlight, interacting with air molecules, is scattered into different colors.
2. Of all the colors, blue is the best for scattering.
3. It turns out that he actually captures the airspace.

Of course, the information provided is rather exaggerated and one should focus on many scientific facts and concepts, but it is more or less clear why the sky is blue.

There are millions of questions that, being children, we do not receive an answer, and when we grow up, we are simply embarrassed to ask. One of these unanswered questions: "why is the sky blue?" And everything would be fine, and you can live without this knowledge, but when a child begins to ask such tricky questions to his parents, they often become ashamed, and they begin to change the subject. Then the child grows up not knowing the answer, he has his own children and everything repeats again. Let's break this "vicious circle" and understand the reasons why the sky is blue. Consider the issue from all possible points of view.

The phenomenon of blue sky in terms of physics

Let's get straight to the point, the sky is blue because the earth's atmosphere scatters the light of the sun. All research conducted over the past 200-300 years comes down to this. Consider a few axioms that affect the blue sky phenomenon:

1. The white light of the sun is a combination of different color streams. White color "separately" does not exist. As everyone knows, there are only 7 colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet), the rest of the colors are obtained only when they are combined. White color is obtained by combining all seven colors. It is worth considering that it is precisely the colors that we can distinguish with the eye that are meant.
2. The atmosphere is not empty, it consists of many gases: nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), carbon dioxide, water in its various states (steam, ice crystals). There is also a lot of dust around us, elements of various metals. They all distort White light sun.
3. The air that surrounds us and that we breathe is actually opaque. In any case, in large quantities. We do not live in a vacuum, after all.

From these three facts we will proceed further.

Story

Back in the 19th century, a scientist named John Tyndall conducted research that proved that we see the sky blue because of particles in the atmosphere. In his laboratory, he artificially created a fog with dust particles and directed a bright white beam at it - the color of the fog changed to bluish. 30 years later, in 1899, the physicist Rayleigh refuted the research of his predecessor and published evidence that the sky is blue because of air molecules and no dust in it. This phenomenon is called diffuse sky radiation You can read more about this on Wikipedia.

The sky looks blue because air scatters short wavelength light more than long wavelength light. Since the radiation of blue color has more short length wavelength, at the end of the visible spectrum, it scatters more in the atmosphere than red. (Source: Wikipedia)

What is light? Light is a stream of photons, some we can see with our eyes and some we can't. So, for example, we see the standard spectrum of colors, but the ultraviolet, which also emits the sun, does not. What color we see in the end depends on the "wavelength" of this stream. This wavelength determines what color you get.

So. We have determined that the sun sends us quanta with a wavelength that corresponds to white color, but how does it turn blue as it passes through the atmosphere? Let's take the example of a rainbow. Rainbow - is a direct example of the refraction of light and its division into a spectrum. You can create your own rainbow using a glass prism at home. The decomposition of color into a spectrum is called dispersion.

So, our sky functions as a prism. Most white light changes its wavelength as it passes through gas molecules in the atmosphere. As a result, photons “leaving” the molecules have a different color. This color can be either purple, red, or blue and blue.

Why do we see blue and not red?

What color we eventually see when light travels from the sun to the earth depends on which photons prevail. For example, when light passes through the atmosphere, the number of blue color quanta is 8 times more than red, and violet is 16 times! This is due to the very different wavelength, so violet and blue scatter strongly, and red and yellow scatter much worse. Based on this theory, the sky should be purple, but it is not. This is due to the fact that purple is much worse perceived by the human eye, unlike blue. That's why the sky is blue.

Video about why the sky is blue:

Why is the sky blue during the day and the sunset is red

Everything, again, is connected with the dispersion of color. The angle of incidence of solar white light becomes smaller, and the light passes through large quantity air molecules, the wavelength of light increases. This amount is enough to diffuse to red.

The answer to the question why the sky is blue for children

If a child asked you a question about the blue sky, you certainly will not tell him about dispersion, spectra and photons. It is enough to quote from the children's book "100 Children's Why" Tatiana Yatsenko:

Usually we draw the sun's rays in yellow. But in fact, the light of the sun is white and consists of seven colors. These are the colors of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. Not all colors pass through the air, only blue, indigo and violet. They color the sky.

This will be enough. On our website, you can also download a presentation on the topic: “Why the sky is blue” at the link: It may come in handy in the classroom at school.

Why the sky is blue? You often hear this question when you walk down the street on a clear day, holding your child by the hand. And at one moment, raising his head to the sky, and becoming interested in the blue palette with rare strokes of clouds on it, the baby will pull your sleeve and ask his unique question: “Dad / Mom, why is the sky blue?” You look at the sky and realize that the answer is not written there. And you, it turns out, have nothing to say to your baby. But it is necessary.

It is for this reason that this article was written. It brings parents and children closer to a simple understanding of what is above us, what exactly creates a blue border around our world, which we call the sky.

So what is blue skies in the first place? Start with the fact that the sky is blue - it's just air, similar to the one that surrounds us below, only it is above, and there is more of it. The child will understand this explanation immediately, and may think about your answer before you continue with your explanation.

The sky is blue everywhere and everywhere. Only, depending on the place, it may differ in the degree of blueness. You have noticed that on a clear day the sun comes out, providing light and warmth. The sun is in many ways a guarantee of a great mood, and, perhaps, it is because of him that you decided to take a little break from everyday work and unwind with your inquisitive baby.

So, the main reason why the sky is blue lies precisely in the sun's rays, in its unique interaction with the air. The sun, illuminating the earth with its bright rays, finds an obstacle in the form of a layer of air that "envelops" our planet from all sides. It is through this air that he has to "break through" in order to provide us with his warmth. Everything from red to purple was originally laid in the very beginning. All the colors of the rainbow are placed in a sunbeam! And it is at the very moment when a given ray of the sun passes through the accumulation of air that the sky is painted in the coveted blue color. A sunbeam is like an artist's brush, which "spatters" a light canvas with its colors. As a result, only one color remains from this "splashing". And this color owns our sky. So why is the sky blue? Because blue is the most expressive of all that fall into the sky. The blueness of the sky is in many ways a unique natural phenomenon that provides us with good mood and a sense of freedom and clarity. It is these properties that blue has. He does not put pressure on a person in any way.

From such an answer, your child will smile a happy smile. He will say, in not quite expressive words, that this is beautiful, and perhaps kiss you for such an answer when you take him in your arms. Each of your responses to this kind of problem, whether it be the question "Why is the sky blue?" or “What is life?”, contributes to the fact that the child learns and learns the laws of life, according to which he will have to exist in the future. The mind of a child should not be distorted by false inventions. Your answers should be as simple and clear as possible, then the child will always be grateful to you.

“Dad, mom, why is the sky blue?” – how many times parents and more the older generation hesitated when they heard a similar question from a small child.

It seems that people with higher education they know almost everything, but such an interest in children often baffles them. Perhaps the physicist will easily find an explanation that satisfies the baby.

However, "average" parents do not know what to say to the child. You need to figure out which explanation is suitable for children, and which for an adult.

To understand the blueness of the sky, you need to remember the school physics course. Colors are distinguished by their ability to scatter (due to wavelength) in the gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth. So, the red color has a low ability, which is why it is used, for example, as external side lighting for aircraft.

Thus, those colors that have an increased ability to scatter in the air are actively used to mask any objects from air and ground enemies. Usually these are the blue and violet parts of the spectrum.

Consider scattering using the example of a sunset. Since the red color has a low scattering power, the departure of the sun is accompanied by crimson, scarlet flashes and other shades of red. What is it connected with? Let's consider in order.

We argue further. The blue and blue "branch" of the spectrum is between the green and purple flowers. All these shades have a high scattering power. And the maximum scattering of a certain shade in a particular medium colors it in this color.

Now we need to explain the following fact: if purple hue better dissipated in the air, why the sky is blue, and, for example, not purple. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the organs of vision of a person with equal brightness "prefer" precisely blue shades, not violet or green.

Who paints the sky?

How to answer a child who looks at the parent with enthusiasm and expects a clear and quite clear answer. The parent's departure from the question can offend the baby or dissuade him of the "omnipotence" of mom or dad. What are possible explanations?

Answer number 1. Like in a mirror

It is extremely difficult for a child of 2-3 years old to tell about spectra, wavelengths and other physical wisdom. But there is no need to dismiss it, it is better to give the maximum simple explanation, satisfying the natural curiosity inherent in a tiny child.

There are many bodies of water on our Earth: there are rivers, lakes, and seas (we show the child a map). When it is sunny outside, the water is reflected, as in a mirror, in heaven. That's why the sky is as blue as the water in the lake. You can show the child in the mirror any blue object.

For young children, such an explanation can be considered sufficient.

Answer number 2. Spray in a sieve

An older child can be given a more realistic explanation. Tell him that a sunbeam has seven hues: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. At this point, show the drawing of the rainbow.

All rays penetrate to the Earth through a dense air layer, as if through a magic sieve. Each ray begins to splatter into its constituent parts, but the blue color is retained because it is the most persistent.

Answer number 3. The sky is cellophane

The air near us seems transparent, like a thin plastic bag, but its real color is blue. This is especially noticeable when looking at the heavens. Invite the child to lift his head and explain that since the air layer is very dense, it takes on a bluish tint.

For greater effect take a plastic bag and fold it several times, inviting the child to see how it changed color and degree of transparency.

Answer number 4. Air is small particles

For kids preschool age the following explanation is suitable: air masses are a “mixture” of various moving particles (gas, dust, litter, water vapor). They are so small that people with special equipment - microscopes - can see them.

The rays of the sun include seven shades. Passing through the air masses, the beam collides with small particles, as a result of which all colors decay. Since the blue tint is the most persistent, we distinguish it in the sky.

Answer number 5. Short rays

The sun warms us with its rays, and they seem yellow to us, as in children's drawings. However, each ray actually resembles a bright rainbow. But the air around us includes many particles invisible to the eye.

When a celestial body sends rays to Earth, not all of them reach their destination. Part of the rays (which is blue) is very short and does not have time to get to the Earth, so it dissolves in the air and becomes lighter. Heaven is the same air, only being very high.

That is why when a child raises his head, he sees the sun's rays dissolved in the air above. That is why the sky turns blue.

It is very important for children to get a quick explanation, but it is not always possible to remember or come up with a simple and understandable answer. Avoiding the conversation - of course, not the most the best way developments, but it is still better to prepare.

Try to explain to the child what you will tell, but do it a little later. Be sure to specify the exact time, otherwise the baby will think that you are deceiving him. You can do the following:

1. Think of the planetariums, where experts explain the history of the Earth in a very entertaining way, talk about starry sky. The kid will definitely like this fascinating story. And even if the guide does not explain where the blueness of the sky came from, he will learn a lot of new and unusual things.
2. If it is not possible to go to the planetarium or the question remains unanswered, you will have time to search in any sources, for example, on the net. Just choose an explanation, focusing on the age and level of intellectual development of children. And do not forget to thank the child, because it is he who helps you develop.

Why the sky is blue? Similar questions worry many kids-why-why who get acquainted with the world around them. It is good if the parent himself knows where the blue above his head comes from. This will help our answer options.

Before telling your version, invite the child to reflect and put forward their own idea.

How nice it is to go out into nature on a clear day and enjoy good view, great weather and blue sky. The most beautiful thing is the azure sky. People have been admiring it for so long that they even came up with the name of the color - “sky blue”. However, you know, the Martians will fundamentally disagree with such a statement. On Mars, the sky can be purple, pink and red. Completely different. So why is the sky blue on Earth? And really, why is the sky blue?

This question has plagued people for a very long time. And more or less substantiated theories explaining the essence began to appear only in the 19th century. Some said that gases and water crystals glow blue, someone said that dust reflects all other colors. But let's turn to modern theories and let them explain to us why the sky is blue.

Some fun physics.

The sun emits bright white light. This is how astronauts see it. On Earth, light passes through the atmosphere and is scattered due to the shape (like through a lens) and composition (suspended particles and gases) of our air envelope. Diffraction of light occurs, that is, the splitting of white into all its components.

Here we must remember about the rainbow.

Every Hunter Wants to Know Where the Pheasant Sits. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and blue. All these colors are components of white. Rainbow - the same diffraction, only through raindrops. Light travels in waves. Each color has its own wavelength and corresponding properties. Red light is long wavelength. It passes well through the air, and practically does not dissipate. Therefore, when we look at the Sun, it is white or red. Blue waves are shorter. This is due to its greater dispersion. Therefore, the entire sky, except for the sun and its crown, is blue.

AT next time When someone asks you “why is the sky blue?”, you can say with confidence that the blue color of the sky is due to the diffraction of light and the short-wave nature of blue radiation. This will definitely make an impression on the interlocutor.