What is Electromagnetic Scattering?
Electromagnetic scattering is the physical effect of an electromagnetic wave, such as light or radio waves, hitting an object. Instead of proceeding in a straight line, as light waves do unimpeded, the light refracts or bounces off of microscopic textures in the object. Electromagnetic scattering is often responsible for the appearance of color, and has several distinct forms. Given enough knowledge about the scattering particles and waves, prediction of how light will scatter is possible. The process can also work in reverse, as scientific observation of scattering can provide information about the incoming wave and the particles that that are scattering it. The study of scattering has lead to important advances in several areas, including computer-generated imagery, radar, and medical technology. Why the sky is blue is a popular question that can be explained by electromagnetic scattering. Rayleigh scattering is based on the experiments of an early 20th century English scientist, Joh
Electromagnetic scattering is the physical effect of an electromagnetic wave, such as light or radio waves, hitting an object. Instead of proceeding in a straight line, as light waves do unimpeded, the light refracts or bounces off of microscopic textures in the object. Electromagnetic scattering is often responsible for the appearance of color, and has several distinct forms.
