Question

what causes different colors to appear in the sky?
the absorption of light by air molecules
the reflection of light by bodies of water
the greenhouse effect in earths atmosphere
the scattering and reflection of light by dust particles

Explanation:

• The absorption of light by air molecules doesn't directly cause the visible colors in the sky.
• The reflection of light by bodies of water is not the main cause of sky colors.
• The greenhouse effect in Earth's atmosphere is related to heat - trapping, not sky colors.
• The scattering and reflection of light by dust particles (and also gas molecules, Rayleigh scattering) is responsible for different colors in the sky. For example, blue light is scattered more, making the sky appear blue during the day. At sunset, longer - wavelength light (red, orange) is more prominent as the light has to travel through more atmosphere and the shorter - wavelength light has been scattered away.

Answer:

the scattering and reflection of light by dust particles