light scattering
Rays bouncing around
Light scattering is the deflection of light rays when they strike particles or irregularities in a medium.
Sunlight scatters off atmospheric molecules to make the sky blue; off water droplets to make clouds white.
The phenomenon explains why sunsets redden, milk appears opaque, and laser beams become visible in dusty air.
- turbidityCloudiness from suspended particles
- diffractionWaves spreading past obstacles
- iridescenceColor shift from interference
- golden hourWarm-lit period near sunset
- blue skyUnclouded daytime atmosphere
medical imaging · polarization · reflection · glint · astrophysics · milky · oceanography · photons · aerosol · translucent · opacity · fog · wavelength · prism · shimmer · dust · laser · particles
light scatteringlight absorption
Matter capturing radiant energy
absorption · transmission · specular reflection · transparency · refraction
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