Term: light scattering
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.L03525

Definition:
The redirection of a light beam due to interactions with molecules (Rayleigh and Raman scattering) and aerosols (Mie scattering). Scattered light received at any point in the atmosphere (sometimes called sky radiation) is a very important component of the total radiation received from the sun; it is dependent on the solar zenith angle, elevation aerosol concentration etc.

Related Terms:
1) elastic scattering (<em>in spectrochemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.E01917).
2) scattering (<em>in spectrochemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05487).
3) mie scattering (<em>in spectrochemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03919).
4) angle (<em>in spectrochemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00346).
5) aerosol (<em>in spectrochemistry</em>) (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00176).

Source: PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2199 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)

Citation: 'light scattering' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.L03525

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