Explore the nature of light. Could you explain to your colleagues why the sky is blue? Why is the sunset deep orange?

Part 1.

This week we will continue to explore the nature of light. Could you explain to your colleagues why the sky is blue? Why is the sunset deep orange? You can upload a picture of a beautiful sunset or other atmospheric phenomenon that you would like to explain.

Part 2.

The greenhouse effect can be explained easily if you understand the laws of blackbody radiation. A greenhouse gas blocks the transmission of infrared light. Given that the incoming light to Earth is sunlight with a characteristic temperature of 5800 K (which peaks in the visible part of the spectrum) and the outgoing light has a characteristic temperature of about 300 K (which peaks in the infrared part of the spectrum), explain how greenhouse gases cause Earth to warm up. As part of your answer, discuss that greenhouse gases block both incoming and outgoing infrared light. Explain why these two effects don’t simply cancel each other, leading to no net temperature change.

To get full credit, please list your sources and link to the website.

Requirements: | .doc file