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Name: Vicki T.
Status: student
Grade: 6-8
Location: Australia
Country: N/A
Date: 2/11/2005
Question:
Hi! I would like to know , why does water turn white when it goes down a waterfall?

Replies:
Turbulent water looks "white" because it is scattering light of all visible wavelengths into your eyes. This scattering occurs from a number of sources. Water droplets (you can see this happen if you turn a garden hose on, or even a faucet. Entrapped air (you can see this if your sink has an aerated faucet, or even more dramatically by whipping egg whites. Egg whites are essentially clear but when beaten turn into froth).

Vince Calder


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