Diffuse reflection
Diffuse Reflection
Diffuse reflection (pronunciation: /dɪˈfjuːz rɪˈflɛkʃən/) is a type of reflection where light or other waves are scattered in many different directions, rather than in just one direction as in specular reflection.
Etymology
The term "diffuse reflection" originates from the Latin words diffundere, meaning "to spread out", and reflectere, meaning "to bend back". This accurately describes the process where incoming light is scattered in multiple directions.
Process
When light strikes a rough or uneven surface, it bounces back in multiple directions. This is due to the microscopic irregularities of the surface. The angle of incidence, or the angle at which the light hits the surface, is equal to the angle of reflection, or the angle at which the light is reflected. However, due to the uneven nature of the surface, these angles vary across the surface, causing the light to scatter in many directions.
Related Terms
- Reflection: The change in direction of a wavefront at an interface between two different media so that the wavefront returns into the medium from which it originated.
- Specular Reflection: Reflection of light that occurs when incoming light rays are parallel, and the outgoing reflected rays are also parallel.
- Scattering: A general physical process where some forms of radiation, such as light, sound, or moving particles, are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory by one or more paths due to localized non-uniformities in the medium through which they pass.
- Angle of Incidence: The angle between a ray incident on a surface and the line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence.
- Angle of Reflection: The angle made by the reflected ray, with respect to the normal of the mirror.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Diffuse reflection
- Wikipedia's article - Diffuse reflection
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