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: 70

Answer

The process is similar to what happens to make clouds white.

Work Step by Step

The breaking wave disperses the water into foam: droplets of many different sizes. The many droplets in the foam predominantly reflect light instead of scattering it. All colors reflect from the small, different-sized droplets, i.e., the reflection process treats all colors pretty much the same. The result is white foam.
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