Rayleigh scattering 

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05160
The scattering of light by particles and molecules which are much smaller than the wavelength of the light. In the ideal case, the process is one of pure dipole and induced dipole interactions with the electric field of the light wave. The scattering cross section for light of wavelength λ is proportional to λ−4.
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. (Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)) on page 2209 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'Rayleigh 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.R05160 RIS BibTex EndNote
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Last revised: February 24, 2014