Which term best describes a beam that scatters after hitting a rough surface?

Which term best describes a beam that scatters after hitting a rough surface?

• A. Reflect
• B. Refract
• C. Scatter
• D. Solar

Answer: (C)

When light hits a rough surface, each tiny patch reflects light in its own direction because the surface isn’t flat. That causes the light to spread out in many directions instead of bouncing off in just one path. That spreading is called scattering (a type of diffuse reflection). Refract would involve bending as light passes into a different material, not spreading from a rough surface. Reflect is more about a single, mirrored direction from a smooth surface, and solar isn’t related to this behavior.

When light hits a rough surface, each tiny patch reflects light in its own direction because the surface isn’t flat. That causes the light to spread out in many directions instead of bouncing off in just one path. That spreading is called scattering (a type of diffuse reflection). Refract would involve bending as light passes into a different material, not spreading from a rough surface. Reflect is more about a single, mirrored direction from a smooth surface, and solar isn’t related to this behavior.