Scattering of light by dust particles

In summary, when the whole window is open, dust particles are not visible because the background is also bright and small dots are hard to see against a bright background. This is similar to how stars and planets are only visible at night due to the darkness, but can sometimes be seen during the day.
  • #1
Pushoam
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TL;DR Summary
Inside a dark room, when light comes through a hole, we see the dust particles as the particles scatter the light. But, when the whole window is open, we don't see the dust particles scattering the light. Why?
Inside a dark room, when light comes through a hole, we see the dust particles as the particles scatter the light. But, when the whole window is open, we don't see the dust particles scattering the light. Why?
 
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  • #2
Because when the whole window is available the background is also bright and small bright dots are hard to see against a bright background.
 
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  • #3
Pushoam said:
when the whole window is open, we don't see the dust particles scattering the light.
I have seen dust particles scattering light many times in a room with an open window.
 
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  • #4
Its the same reason you can see stars (and planets) only at night, although sometimes one can see Venus and or the Moon in the daylight (to which @Dale alludes above.
 
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  • #5
Thanks to all.
 
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Related to Scattering of light by dust particles

What is the scattering of light by dust particles?

The scattering of light by dust particles is a process in which light waves are redirected in various directions as they encounter small particles in the atmosphere, such as dust. This phenomenon can affect the visibility and color of the sky, as well as the apparent brightness of objects.

How does the size of dust particles affect light scattering?

The size of dust particles significantly influences the scattering of light. Smaller particles, comparable in size to the wavelength of light, predominantly cause Rayleigh scattering, which scatters shorter wavelengths (blue light) more effectively. Larger particles, comparable to or larger than the wavelength, cause Mie scattering, which scatters all wavelengths more uniformly and can lead to phenomena like the white appearance of clouds.

Why does the sky appear blue due to light scattering?

The sky appears blue because of Rayleigh scattering. Dust and other small particles scatter shorter wavelengths of light, such as blue, more efficiently than longer wavelengths like red. As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, blue light is scattered in all directions, making the sky appear blue to an observer on the ground.

What role do dust particles play in the color of sunsets and sunrises?

During sunsets and sunrises, the sun's light travels through a greater thickness of the Earth's atmosphere. Dust particles scatter shorter wavelengths (blue and violet) out of the direct path of sunlight, allowing the longer wavelengths (red, orange, and yellow) to dominate the sky's color. This scattering effect, combined with the increased path length, results in the vibrant colors observed during these times.

Can the scattering of light by dust particles affect astronomical observations?

Yes, the scattering of light by dust particles can significantly affect astronomical observations. This scattering can reduce the clarity and brightness of celestial objects, introduce background light that obscures faint objects, and alter the apparent color of stars and other astronomical phenomena. Astronomers must account for these effects when analyzing data and making observations.

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