Dispersjon

Dispersjon is a term used in Norwegian to denote dispersion, the process by which something is spread or distributed through space, time, or a medium. The concept is used across natural and social sciences as well as in everyday language, and it often contrasts with concentration or localization.

In optics and physics, dispersion describes how a material's refractive index varies with wavelength, causing different colors of light to travel at different speeds and to separate into a spectrum. More generally, dispersion can refer to the spreading of a wave packet or particles as they propagate.

In chemistry and materials science, dispersion refers to a system in which particles are distributed throughout a continuous medium, such as a colloidal suspension or a true solution. The degree of dispersion affects properties like stability, viscosity, and optical behavior.

In biology and ecology, dispersjon denotes the movement of organisms from their origin or from crowded areas, enabling gene flow and colonization of new habitats. Modes include wind dispersal of seeds, animal-mediated transport, and passive movement by water.

In statistics, dispersion measures describe how data are spread around a central value. Common metrics include range, variance, standard deviation, and interquartile range, which help characterize distribution shape and variability.

In environmental science and related fields, dispersion models predict how pollutants or spores spread in air or water, incorporating wind, currents, diffusion, and chemical reactions.

See also: dispersion, diffusion, scattering.