acoustic scattering

Acoustic scattering occurs when sound waves encounter an object or a change in the environment, causing part of the sound energy to spread out in different directions rather than passing straight through. Think of it like throwing a stone into a pond; the ripples spread out in all directions. In medical imaging, underwater sonar, or noise analysis, scattering helps us understand how sound interacts with objects or surfaces. The way sound scatters depends on the size, shape, and material of the object, providing valuable information about what the sound waves have encountered.