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Which one of the following statements best explains why we see the range of colors n Earth that we do, rather than seeing things as infrared light (night vision) or having -ray vision? Visible light is the shortest wavelength of all of the electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun so it is most efficiently reflected back to space. Our eyes evolved to see that reflected light.

Which one of the following statements best explains why we see the range of colors n Earth that we do, rather than seeing things as infrared light (night vision) or having -ray vision? Visible light is the shortest wavelength of all of the electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun so it is most efficiently reflected back to space. Our eyes evolved to see that reflected light.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
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Which one of the following statements best explains why we see the range of colors on Earth that we do, rather than seeing things as infrared light (night vision) or having x-ray vision? Visible light is the shortest wavelength of all of the electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun so it is most efficiently reflected back to space. Our eyes evolved to see that reflected light. The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the visible light spectrum thus we see that part of the electromagnetic spectrum best. The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the infrared spectrum but since this electromagnetic radiation is flowing out of the atmosphere are eyes did not evolve to detect it but rather to see the next most abundant radiation type on Earth - visible light. Of the different wavelengths of solar radiation received by Earth, the visible light spectrum are the wavelengths that are least absorbed by greenhouse gases and thus reach the surface of the Earth where they can be absorbed or reflected to create 'colors' seen by the human eye.
Transcribed Image Text:Which one of the following statements best explains why we see the range of colors on Earth that we do, rather than seeing things as infrared light (night vision) or having x-ray vision? Visible light is the shortest wavelength of all of the electromagnetic radiation received from the Sun so it is most efficiently reflected back to space. Our eyes evolved to see that reflected light. The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the visible light spectrum thus we see that part of the electromagnetic spectrum best. The Earth emits its heat energy back to space primarily in the infrared spectrum but since this electromagnetic radiation is flowing out of the atmosphere are eyes did not evolve to detect it but rather to see the next most abundant radiation type on Earth - visible light. Of the different wavelengths of solar radiation received by Earth, the visible light spectrum are the wavelengths that are least absorbed by greenhouse gases and thus reach the surface of the Earth where they can be absorbed or reflected to create 'colors' seen by the human eye.
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