Rayleigh scattering

English

Etymology

Named after the British physicist Lord Rayleigh (1842–1919).

Noun

Rayleigh scattering (usually uncountable, plural Rayleigh scatterings)

1. The elastic scattering of light or other electromagnetic radiation by particles much smaller than the wavelength of the light.

   Rayleigh scattering of sunlight in a clear atmosphere is the main reason why the sky is blue.

   • 2000, Zadie Smith, White Teeth, London: Penguin Books, published 2001, →ISBN, page 134:

     ‘The sky isn’t really blue. It just looks that way. It’s called Rayleigh scattering.’