Term: turbidity, \(\tau\) https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.T06533 Definition: The apparent absorbance of the incident radiation due to scattering. For small particles, direct proportionality exists between turbidity and the Rayleigh ratio. Related Terms: 1) absorbance (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00028). 2) scattering (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05487). 3) rayleigh ratio (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05159). Source: Purple Book, 1st ed., p. 66 (http://old.iupac.org/publications/books/author/metanomski.html) Citation: 'turbidity, \(\tau\)' 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.T06533 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.