Scattering occurs when light waves interact with particles or irregularities within a medium, causing the light to change direction. This can happen when light encounters obstacles such as atmospheric molecules, dust particles, or surface imperfections.
- Scattering happens when individual photons or light waves are deflected in different directions, depending on the medium’s composition, particle size, and surface properties.
- Scattering contributes to various natural phenomena, such as the sky’s blue colour, the whiteness of clouds, and the shimmering of water surfaces.
- Scattering differs from other optical phenomena:
- Reflection: Light bounces back, as in a mirror.
- Refraction: Light is bent as it passes through different materials.
- Diffraction: Light spreads out after encountering an obstacle.
- Absorption: Light is absorbed by the material and not re-emitted.Scattering differs from other optical phenomena.
- Scattering can be effectively subdivided into regular scattering and random scattering, each characterized by distinct mechanisms and patterns of light interaction.