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BEHAVIOUR OF LIGHT AS IT PENETRATES THROUGH OCEAN
WATER
Light is essential in the support of aquatic lives.Aquatic plants require light for
photosynthesis at the same aquatic animals feed on the aquatic plants.They also depend on
light for vision in water.Light is absorbed in water then penetrates to a certain depth
depending on the amount of particles in water which acts as obstacles to light.Presence of
obstacles in the the pathway of light decreases its depth.

Light is reflected when it reaches the surface of water.The amount of light reflected by water
varies depending on the state of the water surface.If there is a lot of strong waves,a large
percentage of light is reflected while a small amount of light penetrates in water.The reflected
light scatters in all directions since the surface of water is irregular.When the water surface is
calm,small amount of light is reflected.

When light enters water,it changes its path.Refraction of light occurs when light travels to a
more dense media.For instance light travels from air which is a less dense media and enters
water which is a denser media than air therefore leading to refraction.Change in the direction
of light,occurs due to change in the speed of light from high to low speed,when it reaches the
water interface.

When light penetrates water,it is scattered forming a spectrum of light with seven colours.The
spectrum of light can be classified into long and short waves.Short wave light includes
blue,violet and green light.Short waves travels to a deeper depth in water,blue light being the
one that penetrates deeper than all the other lights.The penetration of blue light in water
explains why ocean and seas appears to be blue.On the other hand,long waves penetrates to a
shallow depth.They include red,orange and yellow light.Different types of light penetrate the
water at different velocity.
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In conclusion,the intensity of light that enters water varies depending on the condition of the
surface of water whether it is turbulent or calm.Refraction of light in water depends on the
change in speed of light.

Work cited
Z Kozarac, D Risović, S Frka, D Möbius,"Reflection of light from the air/water interface
covered with sea-surface microlayers."Marine chemistry 96 (1-2), 99-113, 2005 .

Tao Zhang,"Refraction of light in media."Science in China Series G: Physics, Mechanics and

Astronomy 50 (5), 591-600,2007.

Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman,"The molecular scattering of light."Proceedings of the

Indian Academy of Sciences-Section