Sunset/Sunrise Colors – Rankers Physics

Refraction by Spherical Surfaces: Practice Problem & Solution

Assertion (A): During sunset and sunrise sun appears to be red. Reason (R): During sunrise or sunset, sun emits electromagnetic radiations of comparatively higher wavelength only.  
(1) Both (A) & (R) are true and the (R) is the correct explanation of the (A)
(2) Both (A) & (R) are true but the (R) is not the correct explanation of the (A)
(3) (A) is true but (R) is false
(4) Both (A) and (R) are false

Short Solution (Best for NEET):

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Refraction by Spherical Surfaces. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Assertion (A) is true; at sunrise/sunset, sunlight travels longer through the atmosphere, scattering away shorter wavelengths (blue) and leaving longer wavelengths (red). Reason (R) is false; the sun emits all wavelengths. The perceived color is due to atmospheric scattering, not selective emission.

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Similar Practice Questions

Explore conceptually related problems to test your knowledge.

1. Assertion (A): Biconvex lens can form virtual image of a virtual object. Reason (R): Nature of lens depends on refractive index of surrounding.  
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3. Assertion (A): In telescopes objective lens is taken of large diameter or aperture. Reason (R): Larger aperture remove spherical aberration.  
4. Assertion (A): The image focus (\(2^{\text{nd}}\) focus) and the object focus (\(1^{\text{st}}\) focus) are on the opposite side of the biconvex or biconcave lens. Reason (R): The radii of curvature of a biconvex lens and biconcave lens are on the opposite side of the lens.  
5. In a compound microscope, the focal length of two lenses are \(1.25 \text{cm}\) and \(12.5 \text{cm}\). If an object is placed at \(5 \text{cm}\) from objective lens and final image is formed at \(25 \text{cm}\) from eye piece lens, the distance between the two lenses is