The reflection of radiation or particles backward toward the source, often used in physics and radar technology to measure or detect objects.
Compound of 'back' and 'scatter' (Old Norse 'skatra'). Developed as a technical term in physics during the 20th century to describe particle behavior.
Backscatter is how radar works—it bounces radio waves off objects and listens for the returning echo, but here's the wild part: weather radar found that certain rock formations scatter signals so strongly they create ghost storms that never actually happen!
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