scattering

• Petite quantité dispersée de quelque chose ; processus de dispersion de particules ou de rayonnement.

A small, dispersed amount or group of things; in physics, the process by which particles or radiation are deflected or diffused.

1. A small, dispersed amount or group of things.B2formal

   A thin distribution of similar items spread irregularly over a surface or area; a small number of something placed here and there without pattern.

   éparpillement

   • There was only a scattering of people at the early morning market.
   • The hillside was covered with a scattering of wildflowers.
   • A few houses were visible, a mere scattering in the vast landscape.
   • She found a scattering of crumbs on the kitchen counter.
   • The report showed a scattering of errors throughout the text.

   Synonymesfewhandfulscattersmatteringsprinklesprinkling

2. The process by which particles or radiation are deflected or diffused.C1formalscientific

   In physics, the deflection or dispersal of a beam of particles, light, or other electromagnetic radiation as a result of collisions or interactions with the particles of the medium through which it passes, causing energy to be redirected in various directions.

   Diffusion (physique)

   • Rayleigh scattering explains why the sky appears blue.
   • Neutron scattering is used to study the structure of materials.
   • The scattering of X-rays by the crystal lattice produced a diffraction pattern.
   • Electrons undergo scattering when they encounter atomic nuclei.
   • The experiment measured the angle of scattering of alpha particles.

   Synonymesdeflectiondiffusiondispersiondisseminationspreading

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de jeter ou de répartir des objets dans différentes directions, ou pour faire en sorte qu'un groupe se sépare et s'éparpille.

A verb used to indicate the act of throwing or distributing things in various directions, or to cause a group to separate and move apart.

1. Throw or spread looselyB1formal

   To throw or drop things in different directions over an area.

   Éparpiller, disperser

   • The farmer scattered seeds across the field.
   • She scattered rose petals along the aisle.
   • He scattered the papers on the desk in frustration.

   Synonymesbroadcastdispersesowspreadsprinklestrew

   Antonymesaccumulatecollectgather

2. Disperse or separateB1formal

   To move or cause to move in different directions; to break up a group.

   Disperser, éparpiller

   • The crowd scattered when the rain started.
   • Police ordered the protesters to scatter.
   • The children scattered to find hiding places.

   Synonymesbreak updiffusedisbanddispeldispersedissipateseparatesplitspread

   Antonymesassemblecollectcongregateconvergegatherunite