To understand Scattering, let's do a Small Experiment

 

Let's take a Laser, and two glasses. One has Sugar Solution (Sugar + Water), and the other has just water.

While passing laser light through the glass, we observe that we cannot see the Ray of Light in both Sugar Solution and Water

we-cannot-see-ray-of-light-in-sugar-solution-and-water.jpg

Now, in Water, we add milk and Stir it

adding-milk-in-2nd-glass.jpg

We now observe that we can see the Ray of Light in the Milk + Water glass.

This is due to Scattering of Light

The milk particles in the Second Glass are big enough to scatter light, and thus we see the Ray of Light in the 2nd Glass

 

Now, we can Define Scattering of Light

 

Definition of Scattering of Light

Scattering of light means throwing of light by particles in all possible directions

scattering-of-light-by-particle---teachoo.jpg

 

 

Did you notice that this Scattering of light is not done by all particles?

There are Sugar particles in the Sugar Solution, but they are very small... so they don't scatter light.

Whereas, the milk particles in Milk are big enough to Scatter light

 

Now, lets look at a few applications of Scattering of Light

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo