Question

What is the difference between Scattering and Reflection ? Write differences in tabular form.

Answer 1

Dear student,
Scattering is a wave property of matter whereas reflection is a particle property.Reflection is the process of diversion of a path of a particle or a wave due to a non-interacting collision. Scattering is a process where interaction between the two colliding particles occurs.

1. Scattering occurs due to absorption and emission of a particle or a photon, whereas reflection only bounces back the incident particle or wave.
2. The wavelength of the incident wave can change due to scattering, but it cannot change due to reflection.
3. Reflection is easily observable, whereas observation of scattering requires advanced equipment.

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