reflectance

[ ri-flek-tuhns ]

noun

, Physics, Optics.

1. the ratio of the intensity of reflected radiation to that of the radiation incident on a surface.

reflectance

/ rɪˈflɛktəns /

noun

1. a measure of the ability of a surface to reflect light or other electromagnetic radiation, equal to the ratio of the reflected flux to the incident flux ρ Compare transmittance absorptance

Word History and Origins

Origin of reflectance¹

First recorded in 1925–30; reflect + -ance

Example Sentences

They found that, contrary to intuition, the reflectance was highest when the individual particles were separated instead of when tightly packed.

From Science Daily

They trace these electrons by mapping out the "reflectance" of the sample, or the percentage of light they reflect.

From Science Daily

However, other studies have contradicted this by revealing a significant difference in reflectance spectra between Ryugu samples and CI chondrites.

From Science Daily

Although Galileo attempted to ascertain their composition using reflectance spectroscopy, it was unsuccessful.

From Salon

The techniques included X-ray fluorescence imaging spectroscopy and reflectance hyperspectral imaging, which uses a light-dispersing spectrometer to collect and process information from across the electromagnetic spectrum.

From Washington Post