A dark old room was closed for a long time. Once the curtains were removed slightly, the sunlight entered the room and its complete path was illuminated. What is this effect termed as?
scattering
The deviation of the light rays from its original path in a particular medium is termed as the 'Scattering of light'. Light scattering can be thought of as the deflection of a ray from a straight path, for example by irregularities in the propagation medium, particles, or in the interface between two medium. The light entering the room after being reflected diffused by small dust particles illuminates its path. The colors of light separate as the sun's rays pass through the atmosphere, and blue is the color that reaches us.