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Scattering: meaning, definitions and examples

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scattering

 

[ˈskætərɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

physics

The process in which a beam of particles or waves is dispersed or spread out in different directions.

Synonyms

diffusion, dispersion, spread.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scattering

Used when referring to the act of throwing things loosely in various directions, or a small, irregular quantity of something scattered over an area.

  • The scattering of leaves in the autumn breeze created a picturesque scene
  • There was a scattering of people at the park on a weekday afternoon
dispersion

Often used in both scientific and general contexts to describe the process of distributing things or people over a wide area.

  • The dispersion of light through a prism creates a spectrum of colors
  • After the concert ended, the police managed the orderly dispersion of the crowd
spread

Used in everyday language to talk about extending over a large area or to increase the range or reach of something. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, especially in relation to diseases.

  • The spread of the wildfire was incredibly fast and devastating
  • Social media played a huge role in the spread of the viral challenge
diffusion

Used mainly in scientific contexts to describe the movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

  • The diffusion of perfume molecules in the air can be smelled from across the room
  • Oxygen enters the blood through the diffusion process in the lungs

Examples of usage

  • The scattering of light by air molecules is what makes the sky appear blue.
  • X-ray scattering is a useful technique for studying the structure of materials.
  • The scattering of sound waves can be influenced by various obstacles in the environment.
Context #2 | Noun

mathematics

The random distribution of data points away from a central value in a graph or plot.

Synonyms

deviation, dispersion, variability.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scattering

Used when speaking about the act of throwing or spreading things in various directions.

  • The farmer was busy scattering seeds across the field.
  • The scattering of confetti added to the celebratory atmosphere.
dispersion

Used to describe the act of spreading things out over a wide area, often in scientific or statistical contexts.

  • The dispersion of light through a prism creates a rainbow of colors.
  • The mathematical analysis focused on the dispersion of data points around the mean.
variability

Refers to how much something changes or varies over time. Commonly used in statistics and science.

  • There is significant variability in the temperature here during the spring months.
  • The study aimed to understand the variability in patient responses to the treatment.
deviation

Refers to a departure from a standard, norm, or expected path. Often used in technical or mathematical contexts.

  • His unusual behavior was a deviation from his typical routine.
  • The pilot had to make a slight deviation from the planned flight path due to bad weather.

Examples of usage

  • The scattering of data points in the scatter plot indicates a lack of correlation.
  • In statistical analysis, the scattering of points can help identify outliers in the data set.
Context #3 | Verb

general

To cause particles or waves to disperse or spread out in different directions.

Synonyms

disperse, distribute, spread.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scattering

Use when referring to spreading things far apart in an irregular or random pattern.

  • The scattering of seeds was done carefully to ensure better growth
  • The scattering of ashes took place at the beach
disperse

Often used in more formal contexts to describe the breaking up and spreading out of a group or substance.

  • The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd
  • The wind helped disperse the smoke from the fire
distribute

Best used when talking about dividing and giving out things evenly or to specific destinations.

  • The charity plans to distribute food and blankets to the homeless
  • She distributed the handouts to all the students in the class
spread

Used for a wide range of situations, from physical distribution to metaphorical expansion. It can describe things extending over an area or increasing in influence.

  • He spread butter on his toast
  • The news spread quickly through the small town
  • The disease spread rapidly among the population

Examples of usage

  • The wind scattering the leaves across the lawn.
  • The speaker's voice scattering in the large auditorium.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • Light scattering happens when light hits tiny particles and spreads out, causing things like colorful rainbows in the sky.
  • In physics, the scattering of particles can help scientists study small objects, like atoms, by observing how they change direction when they hit each other.
  • The atmosphere scatters sunlight, making the sky appear blue during the day and orange or red during sunrise and sunset.

Nature

  • Seeds scatter when plants release them, allowing new plants to grow far from the parent plant, which helps spread species.
  • Scattering plays a vital role in ecology, as animals move seeds around when they eat fruits and then deposit them elsewhere.
  • Wind can cause scattering of sand, dust, or leaves, creating shifting landscapes in deserts and forests.

Mathematics

  • In statistics, scattering refers to the spread of data points in a graph, showing how much values differ from the average.
  • The concept of scatter plots is used to visualize relationships between two variables, helping to identify trends and patterns.
  • Mathematical models often apply scattering to predict outcomes in complex systems, like weather patterns.

Art

  • In visual arts, scattering techniques involve spreading colors or textures across a canvas, creating dynamic effects.
  • Artists use scattering in techniques like splatter painting, where paint is flung onto a surface to create energetic compositions.
  • In photography, scattering light can enhance a photo's mood, such as creating a soft focus or artistic blur.

Cultural References

  • The phrase 'a scattering of stars' is often used in literature to describe a sky filled with distant shining points, invoking a sense of wonder.
  • Cultural events like parades often feature the scattering of petals or confetti, symbolizing joy and celebration.
  • Linguistically, 'scattering' appears in idioms, such as 'scattering crumbs' for a journey of discovery, representing small signs of more significant insights.

Translations

Translations of the word "scattering" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dispersão

🇮🇳 बिखराव

🇩🇪 Streuung

🇮🇩 penyebaran

🇺🇦 розсіювання

🇵🇱 rozpraszanie

🇯🇵 散乱 (sanran)

🇫🇷 dispersion

🇪🇸 dispersión

🇹🇷 dağılma

🇰🇷 산란 (sallan)

🇸🇦 تبعثر (tabaathur)

🇨🇿 rozptyl

🇸🇰 rozptýlenie

🇨🇳 散射 (sǎnshè)

🇸🇮 razpršitev

🇮🇸 dreifing

🇰🇿 шашырау

🇬🇪 გაფანტვა (gafantva)

🇦🇿 dağılma

🇲🇽 dispersión

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,391, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.