The REAL Reason the Ocean is Blue

I once believed that the ocean is blue because it reflects the sky. This is NOT true. The ocean is blue because it absorbs low frequency electromagnetic waves like infrared and red light waves. Green light and blue light, however, are reflected back and collectively making cyan. Thus, the brilliant and vibrant color of the sea is connected to the concepts and theories we learn in physics class. Who would have thought?

The sunset behind me and Kelly is orange. Usually, light entering the atmosphere encounters particles of gases and violet/blue light is scattered by them. This is why the sky is blue. But when the sun is setting, the light encounters more particles of air because it is further away from us. At this point mid-frequency light waves are scattered as well and so during sunset, the sky appears orange and red, low frequency visible electromagnetic waves.

Living on an island in the tropics has guaranteed each of us experience with the ocean. This is one such experience for me. Though I did know that the ocean was colored in the manner that it is because it reflects the sky previous to Concept Physics, that it had the ability to absorb infrared and low intensity electromagnetic waves I did not know. I did not previously realize this because one usually goes to the beach and in the water to cool off. That the ocean actually absorbs the heat from the energy of electromagnetic waves and still be cooler than the air in the atmosphere is testament to its enormous volume. Yay, ocean!