: 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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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.
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Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
This process — called Rayleigh scattering — scatters shorter-wavelength blue light and bends longer-wavelength red light toward the moon.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
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Anthony Wood, Space.com, 9 Apr. 2026
This process — called Rayleigh scattering — scatters shorter-wavelength blue light and bends longer-wavelength red light toward the moon.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rayleigh scattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Rayleigh%20scattering. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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