Scattering vs. Reflection

Published: 22 Sep, 2021

Scatteringnoun

A small quantity of something occurring at irregular intervals and dispersed at random points,

‘There will be a scattering of showers, with heavy rain in places.’;

Reflectionnoun

The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.

Scatteringnoun

(elections) The total number of votes awarded to nonmajor or unlisted candidates.

Reflectionnoun

The property of a propagated wave being thrown back from a surface (such as a mirror).

Scatteringnoun

(physics) The process whereby a beam of waves or particles is dispersed by collisions or similar interactions.

Reflectionnoun

Something, such as an image, that is reflected.

‘The dog barked at his own reflection in the mirror.’;

Scatteringadjective

Going or falling in various directions; not united or aggregated; divided among many; as, scattering votes.

Reflectionnoun

Careful thought or consideration.

‘After careful reflection, I have decided not to vote for that proposition.’;

Scatteringnoun

Act of strewing about; something scattered.

Reflectionnoun

An implied criticism.

‘It is a reflection on his character that he never came back to see them.’;

Scatteringnoun

the physical process in which particles are deflected haphazardly as a result of collisions

Reflectionnoun

(computing) The process or mechanism of determining the capabilities of an object at run-time.

Scatteringnoun

a small number dispersed haphazardly;

‘the first scatterings of green’;

Reflectionnoun

(anatomy) The folding of a part; a fold.

Scatteringnoun

a light shower that falls in some locations and not others nearby

Reflectionnoun

The act of reflecting, or turning or sending back, or the state of being reflected.

‘The eye sees not itself,But by reflection, by some other things.’;

Scatteringnoun

spreading widely or driving off

Reflectionnoun

The reverting of the mind to that which has already occupied it; continued consideration; meditation; contemplation; hence, also, that operation or power of the mind by which it is conscious of its own acts or states; the capacity for judging rationally, especially in view of a moral rule or standard.

‘By reflection, . . . I would be understood to mean, that notice which the mind takes of its own operations, and the manner of them, by reason whereof there come to be ideas of these operations in the understanding.’; ‘This delight grows and improves under thought and reflection.’;

Scatteringnoun

the act of scattering

Reflectionnoun

Shining; brightness, as of the sun.

Scatteringadjective

spreading by diffusion

Reflectionnoun

That which is produced by reflection.

‘As the sun water we can bear,Yet not the sun, but his reflection, there.’;

Scattering

Scattering is a term used in physics to describe a wide range of physical processes where moving particles or radiation of some form, such as light or sound, are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory by localized non-uniformities (including particles and radiation) in the medium through which they pass. In conventional use, this also includes deviation of reflected radiation from the angle predicted by the law of reflection.

Reflectionnoun

A part reflected, or turned back, at an angle; as, the reflection of a membrane.

‘Job's reflections on his once flourishing estate did at the same time afflict and encourage him.’;

Reflectionnoun

Censure; reproach cast.

‘He died; and oh! may no reflection shedIts poisonous venom on the royal dead.’;

Reflectionnoun

The transference of an excitement from one nerve fiber to another by means of the nerve cells, as in reflex action. See Reflex action, under Reflex.

Reflectionnoun

a calm lengthy intent consideration

Reflectionnoun

the phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface