Scattering (Noun)
Meaning 1
The physical process in which particles are deflected haphazardly as a result of collisions.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- Radioactive materials undergoing nuclear decay display scattering patterns that are characteristic of the isotope in question.
- The scattering of light as it passes through the Earth's atmosphere leads to the brilliant colors observed during sunsets.
- Gas molecules in the air cause scattering of sound waves, leading to the muffled quality of distant sounds.
- Neutron scattering is used to probe the structure of materials at the atomic and molecular level.
- Rutherford's famous scattering experiment revealed the existence of a dense, positively charged nucleus within atoms.
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Spreading widely or driving off.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural events.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
The act of scattering.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 4
A small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly; "the first scatterings of green"; "a sprinkling of grey at his temples".
Classification
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 5
A light shower that falls in some locations and not others nearby.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.