Why do large particles scatter more light than smaller particles?

Thread starter thewall12
Start date Apr 10, 2011
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Light Particles

AI Thread Summary

Larger particles scatter more light than smaller particles primarily due to their increased cross-sectional area, which allows more light to interact with them. This larger size results in a greater number of light rays being reflected and scattered. The concept of a "wider angle" is not the most accurate way to describe this phenomenon. Instead, the key factor is the amount of light that can strike the particle's surface. Understanding this principle is essential for grasping the behavior of light scattering in different particle sizes.

Apr 10, 2011

thewall12

Homework Statement

Silly question, I know. I suspect it's because of a wider reflecting angle due to the diameter, but I'm not quite sure.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

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Apr 10, 2011

zhermes

I think you have the right idea---but 'wider angle' isn't quite the right way to think about it. Bigger objects have a larger cross-section, more light hits them, thus more light is scattered.

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