Why astronauts see dark sky in space unlike blue sky on earth:
(A) There is no day in space
(B) Light is not scattered in space since there are no particles present
(C) Light is reflected back from the body of the astronaut
(D) Light is absorbed by the space
Answer
301.2k+ views
Hint: The blue color of the sky is because of the scattering of the sunlight due to particles in the atmosphere. In space there aren’t many tiny particles or there isn’t much dust which can scatter the sunlight. Hence, we don’t see any color. And this absence of light, is seen as darkness.
Complete step by step answer:
Sunlight reaches the earth’s atmosphere and is scattered in all directions by particles present in air. Blue has maximum frequency and lowest wavelength. Lower wavelengths are much more effectively scattered by the particles of that particular size.
There is no atmosphere in space. Sun’s radiations will not penetrate into space. There is no difference between days and nights. Days and nights are dark.
Absence of atmosphere in space will result in no light there. Reflection, absorption and scattering will not take place.
All the above criteria will satisfy option B i.e., light is not scattered in space since there are no particles present.
Note:
We can use the method of elimination here.
Option A talks about “day” in space. Day and Night are due to the rotation of the planet. And we might know that the skies of different planets can be of different colors. Hence this is incorrect
Option C: An astronaut’s suit is white so it scatters/reflects all the colors equally, hence there should not be blackness in the pictures. Instead, everything should be bright.
Option D: Absorption happens due to particles. When we say “space”, we are referring to vacuum. And vacuum cannot absorb light. Hence the statement itself is wrong.
Hence, we see that these options don’t make sense in the scenario. So, we can eliminate them and consider option B as the correct one.
Complete step by step answer:
Sunlight reaches the earth’s atmosphere and is scattered in all directions by particles present in air. Blue has maximum frequency and lowest wavelength. Lower wavelengths are much more effectively scattered by the particles of that particular size.
There is no atmosphere in space. Sun’s radiations will not penetrate into space. There is no difference between days and nights. Days and nights are dark.
Absence of atmosphere in space will result in no light there. Reflection, absorption and scattering will not take place.
All the above criteria will satisfy option B i.e., light is not scattered in space since there are no particles present.
Note:
We can use the method of elimination here.
Option A talks about “day” in space. Day and Night are due to the rotation of the planet. And we might know that the skies of different planets can be of different colors. Hence this is incorrect
Option C: An astronaut’s suit is white so it scatters/reflects all the colors equally, hence there should not be blackness in the pictures. Instead, everything should be bright.
Option D: Absorption happens due to particles. When we say “space”, we are referring to vacuum. And vacuum cannot absorb light. Hence the statement itself is wrong.
Hence, we see that these options don’t make sense in the scenario. So, we can eliminate them and consider option B as the correct one.
Recently Updated Pages
Four persons A B C and D initially at the corners of class 11 physics JEE_Main

What is the difference between Conduction and conv class 11 physics JEE_Main

Moment of inertia of solid sphere about its diameter class 11 physics JEE_Main

If a piece of ice floating on the surface of water class 11 physics JEE_Main

At what temperature speed of sound in air will be doubled class 11 physics JEE_Main

A closed organ pipe and an open organ pipe are tuned class 11 physics JEE_Main

Trending doubts
JEE Main 2026: Exam Dates, Session 2 Updates, City Slip, Admit Card & Latest News

Understanding the Electric Field of a Uniformly Charged Ring

Electron Gain Enthalpy and Electron Affinity Explained

Derivation of Equation of Trajectory Explained for Students

Understanding Atomic Structure for Beginners

Understanding Uniform Acceleration in Physics

Other Pages
CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 - Units And Measurements - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units And Measurements - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 Motion In A Straight Line - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Login Required)

Important Questions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 1 Units and Measurement - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

CBSE Notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 2 - Motion in a Straight Line - 2026-27 PDF Download (Login Required)

NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Physics Chapter 3 Motion In A Plane - 2026-27 Free PDF Download (Sign-in Required)

