Why is the ocean blue?
The ocean looks blue because water soaks up red light and keeps blue light bouncing.
Pip’s answer
- The ocean looks blue because water soaks up red light and keeps blue light bouncing.
- Sunlight is made of many colors all mixed together.
- Deep down, the red light gets soaked up first, so only blue is left.
- Ooh, a big ocean is like a giant blue glass of light!
For grown-ups
Water absorbs red, orange and yellow light more strongly than blue light. In deep water, the longer wavelengths are absorbed, and blue light is scattered back to our eyes, so the ocean looks blue. Reflection of the sky and particles in the water can change the color to green or grey.
Ask your child: Why do you think a glass of water looks clear but the ocean looks blue?
More questions kids ask
- 🌤️Why is the sky blue?
- 🌊Why are there waves in the ocean?
- 🌊Why is the sea salty?
- 🐟How do fish breathe underwater?
- 🐟Why do fish swim in groups?
- 🐚Why do seashells sound like the ocean?
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