Dispersion: meaning, definitions and examples

Usually used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the distribution of objects or values across a space or among a set.

• The dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere was monitored over the course of five days
• The biologist studied the dispersion of the species across the region

Mostly used in scientific or technical settings to refer to the extent to which data points or elements differ from each other.

• The variability in test scores was significant, indicating a diverse level of understanding among the students
• Climate change is leading to increased temperature variability

General use in everyday language to indicate the distribution of objects, people, information, or other things across a space or among a group. Often implies a broader scope.

• The spread of the news was rapid thanks to social media
• The spread of the disease was contained by quick quarantine measures

Less commonly used than 'variability,' and usually in literary or formal contexts to describe the quality of being changeable or inconsistent.

• The variableness of his moods made him difficult to predict
• The variableness of the weather in this region is well known

This term is most often used in scientific contexts, particularly in physics and chemistry, to describe the process of distributing particles or waves over a wide area.

• The dispersion of light into different colors produces a rainbow.
• The scientist studied the dispersion of pollutants in the water.

Used in a variety of contexts to describe the act of dividing or moving apart elements that were once together. It can also have negative connotations when referring to human relationships.

• The separation of oil and water in the mixture is achieved through decanting.
• After many years together, they decided to go through a separation.

This term is often used to describe the action of dividing something into two or more parts. It can also be used informally to describe an intense headache.

• The splitting of the atom released a huge amount of energy.
• I had a splitting headache after the long meeting.

This term is often used in physics to describe the process where particles or waves deviate from a straight trajectory due to non-uniformities in the medium through which they pass.

• The scattering of light by the atmosphere causes the sky to appear blue.
• Photon scattering is a key concept in quantum mechanics.