scattering cross-section, σscat 

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05490
The scattering coefficient per particle (cm2particle); bscat=n σscat where n is the number concentration of particles (particles cm−3) and σscat is the scattering cross-section. bscat, the scattering component of extinction due to gas and particles, is measured in the atmosphere using a nephelometer. For a homogeneous atmosphere it is related in theory to the meteorological range (LV): LV=3.9bscat; bscat and babs represent the scattering and absorption coefficients per unit length for a light beam (of path length L) which has a spectral radiance (intensity) I0 incident on a sample of air and I is the transmitted spectral radiance (intensity), ln⁡(I0I)=L (bscat+babs).
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. (Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)) on page 2212 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'scattering cross-section' 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.S05490 RIS BibTex EndNote
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Last revised: February 24, 2014