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Rayleigh scattering |
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Rayleigh scatteringDispersion of electromagnetic radiation by particles with radii less than ¹⁄₁₀ the wavelength of the radiation. It is named for Baron Rayleigh, who described it in 1871. Since blue light is at the short wavelength end of the visible spectrum, it is scattered in the atmosphere much more than the longer-wavelength red light. This causes the blue colour of the sky, since the observer sees only the scattered light. The Rayleigh laws predict the variation of the intensity and the polarization of scattered light. Rayleigh scattering [′rā·lē ‚skad·ə·riŋ] (electromagnetism) Scattering of electromagnetic radiation by independent particles which are much smaller than the wavelength of the radiation. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| Thompson and Gardner also are considering other types of lasers and scattering methods, such as Rayleigh scattering, in their effort to create an artificial star. When Kasting ran high concentrations of carbon dioxide through the model, he found that Rayleigh scattering would prevent significant amounts of solar radiation from reaching earth, ensuring that temperatures would not rise enough to cause a runaway greenhouse. Winchester and Leonard found that the scattering in blue jay feathers is what is technically called Rayleigh scattering, the kind done by spherical objects much smaller than the wavelength of the light. |
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