water is transparent right, so when we put on the tap or see a waterfall, it turns white, why is that?
In: Physics
A ‘white’ surface is what we see when all the light hitting something gets bounced back, but scattered in different directions. All other colours are what happens when light hits something, and a little bit gets absorbed.
Water doesn’t absorb a noticeable amount of light. But usually it also doesn’t scatter light – it just lets the light through. However, when light moves from air into water, or the other way around, it bends a little. This is why we can see water even when it’s still.
Water faucets and water falls are mixtures of water and air, with loooots of little bubbles. Every time light moves into or out of one of those tiny bubbles, it gets bent a little. Since there are so many bubbles, a lot of the light ends up scattered back at us, just like a white surface.
As a side note, when light gets bounced back but *not* scattered, you get a reflection.
Latest Answers