Fényszórás

Fényszórás, a Hungarian term, translates to light scattering in English. It describes the physical phenomenon where light, or other electromagnetic radiation, is deflected from its straight path by particles or irregularities in a medium. This deflection can occur in various ways, depending on the size of the scattering particles relative to the wavelength of the light.

When light encounters particles much smaller than its wavelength, such as air molecules, Rayleigh scattering occurs. This type of scattering is responsible for the blue color of the sky, as shorter blue wavelengths are scattered more effectively than longer red wavelengths. Conversely, Mie scattering happens when the particles are comparable in size to the wavelength of light. This is observed in phenomena like the white appearance of clouds or fog, where water droplets scatter all wavelengths of visible light more or less equally.

Fényszórás plays a crucial role in numerous natural and technological processes. It influences how we perceive colors, the clarity of the atmosphere, and the performance of optical instruments. Understanding fényszórás is essential in fields ranging from atmospheric science and meteorology to materials science and the design of optical devices. The study of this phenomenon helps explain why distant objects appear less distinct and why the sky changes color throughout the day.