: scattering of light by particles small enough to render the effect selective so that different colors are deflected through different angles
Examples of Rayleigh scattering in a Sentence
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The phenomenon is called Rayleigh scattering and is named after Lord Rayleigh (John William Strutt), a British physicist, who wrote a paper about it in 1871.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
During a process called Rayleigh scattering, shorter blue wavelengths scatter, causing the moon to appear orange or reddish.
—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
27 May 2026
This happens because its light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere, which scatters away the shorter blue wavelengths and lets the longer red tones pass through, an effect known as Rayleigh scattering.
—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2026
During a process called Rayleigh scattering, shorter blue wavelengths scatter, causing the moon to appear orange or reddish.
—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
27 May 2026
This happens because its light passes through more of Earth's atmosphere, which scatters away the shorter blue wavelengths and lets the longer red tones pass through, an effect known as Rayleigh scattering.
—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rayleigh scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Rayleigh%20scattering. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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