What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retroreflection
Example
The road sign was designed with retroreflective material to increase visibility at night. [retroreflective: adjective]
Example
The safety vest has retroreflective strips to make the wearer more visible in low-light conditions. [retroreflective: adjective]
backscattering
Example
The lidar system uses backscattering to detect objects in its path. [backscattering: noun]
Example
The radar image showed strong backscattering from the storm clouds. [backscattering: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retroreflection is a less common term than backscattering and is typically used in specific contexts related to safety or materials science. Backscattering is a more versatile term and is used in various fields of study and technological applications.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retroreflection and backscattering?
Both retroreflection and backscattering are technical terms that are more likely to be used in formal or scientific contexts rather than everyday language.
