Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 27 - Think and Explain - Page 517-518: 67

Answer

Snow would appear to be yellow-orange.

Work Step by Step

The blue end of the visible spectrum is scattered most by oxygen and nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere. This occurs all along the path of sunlight. If the atmosphere were several times denser, even more high-frequency light would be scattered sideways, and by the time the sunlight hit the ground, mostly low-frequency components of light would remain (namely red, orange, and yellow). At sunrise or sunset, the sun, and the snow, would appear to be deep red. This is discussed on pages 512-513, and shown in Figure 27.18. Check point 2 on page 514 is also relevant.
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