Construction of Optical Devices

• The scattering of light results in processes such as reflection and refraction. In reflection, light bounces to another direction after touching a reflective surface like a mirror. In refraction, the direction and speed that light travels change due to the medium that it passes through, such as air or water. These concepts are applied in the construction of a number of optical devices used in science, medicine and art, such as telescopes, cameras, microscopes and spectrometers.
  
  

Scientific Processes and Experiments

• The light-scattering process provides important and often practical and accurate means to work on different scientific processes and experiments. This allows scientists to determine how the movement of microscopic particles affects certain activities or phenomena. The scientists can monitor and compute different tasks and predict the behaviors and properties of objects during experiments. The light-scattering process can also be used as one of the variables to help understand various interactions of chemicals and molecules for industry and health products.
  
  

Health and Accident Risks

• Scattering of light can cause unlikely results when not used properly or if accidents happen. Overexposure to light may cause temporary or permanent eye damage. While in most cases, people use eye protection when working on experiments or activities involving intense light exposure, accidents may still happen, such as getting unexpected reflections of harsh light that may result in serious eye health risks. Some types of light, such as lasers, can also cause serious physical damage when not used properly or if it's encountered in accidents.
  
  

Heat Generation

• Light generates heat. Materials like metals and glass can absorb or contain heat from light sources, which can either be useful or dangerous. Although heat conductors are used in a number of beneficial applications, a conductor acquiring too much heat can possibly cause physical harm to people and the environment. Conductors or combustible materials absorbing too much heat or containers trapping heat due to light falling or scattering onto them may cause fire or explosion. As example, overexposure of a piece of glass to sunlight may result in breakage or a burn on the skin when it is touched. Prolonged exposure of a car outside during a very hot day traps the heat from the sunlight. This may cause melting of plastic or sudden combustion of a lighter or any combustible material left inside the car. A number of materials inside will also absorb and accumulate the sunlight's heat, which may result to skin burn or other minor or serious heat-related problems.