Interactive Primary Newsletter 34 Nothin' but blue sky....

Why is the sea blue? When the sky is clear of clouds and blue the sea is also blue. Not the most common occurrence in Scotland but it can occasionally be seen. In these unusual weather conditions, the sea appears blue because it is reflecting the blue of the sky (Fig. 10). The sea only looks blue when the sky is blue. Everyone knows that water reflects light. We have all looked into a pool, puddle or toilet bowl and observed our own reflection! Be careful and don’t gaze too long or you may become like Narcissus. In Greek mythology he fell in love with his own reflection in a stream. The gods thought he would die of starvation so they changed him into a flower to stay there forever. Figure 10 - Sea appears blue because it is reflecting the blue of the sky   Mixing colours