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If the light wave from the previous page passes close to an oxygen (O2) or nitrogen (N2) molecule
in the atmosphere, we imagine it would look like this diagram. Recall the positive
nuclei are pulled in the direction of the red arrows, while the electrons are pushed in the other direction.
As the wave of light moves past the molecule the force on the electrons varies from a maximum in the upward
direction to zero to a maximum in the downward direction back to zero as shown below. As the wave of light
moves past the molecule the force on the electrons varies from a maximum in the upward direction to zero to a
maximum in the downward direction back to zero as shown below.
© 2008 Steven L. Horstmeyer, all rights reserved
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