Why we cannot see air?
Why we cannot see air?? This question might seem a little idiotic or senseless for the matter but so people said when someone asked why apple fell on the ground? Right ?? (not going to debate whether it's apple or something else) . Without moving to some other topic let's find out why the air around us is somewhat invisible to our naked eye.
Before answering this question, we need to understand why do we see what we see!! Basically the reasoning behind why we see a green tree, blue sky, red car, black cat etc etc. Reflection of light is the reason in three words to be precise. Long answer? Read more..
So for us to see anything, we need light basically any source of light say sunlight, moon light or say an electric light bulb. One of the reasons why we cannot see in the dark You can explore more on that here.
Coming back to the topic, when light falls onto an object it reflects back certain light after absorbing some of it. For example you can see a red rose because when light has fell on that rose, it absorbed all the colors and reflected back red. To be more precise it has absorbed and reflected certain wavelength of lights.
A human eye is capable of seeing only certain wavelength of light i.e. visible range. There are other range like infrared or ultra violet to name a few. Now the answer to question why we cannot see air also lies in the composition of air i.e. what is air made up of?
Air is made up of gas molecules which could be too small and far enough to reflect back light and possibly even if it does reflect the light it will be out of the human visible range. The gas molecules are scattered that light passes straight through it. Still there are gases which are visible to the naked eye for example Iodine gives a violet color while chlorine has a greenish yellow side to it.
Air in it's condensed form turn to water droplets which can reflect light better and hence why we can see rain or rainbow? So in normal circumstances due to the way how the composition of air is we are unable to see it however say with rains or too much dust in surrounding we kind of get a slight visibility to it.
Also, imagine if we were able to see air then how hazy our vision would have been!! We as humans have evolved to survive and possibly that we cannot see air serves in the best of our interests.
Also if you ever wonder how rainbows are formed or why the sky is blue and sunsets are red, here are few links to help you out.
Why the sky is blue and sunsets are red?
Well, that's about it for the curious mind for now, remember the curiousity talks!!
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