Final answer:
The assertion that a laser beam operated at 532 nm can be scattered is true. Scattering is a common physical process for light and is influenced by particle interactions and medium irregularities. This concept is relevant in optics and is exemplified by diffraction effects such as those caused by gratings in laser systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks if a laser beam operated at 532 nm can be scattered, which is true. Laser beams, like any light, can be scattered by interactions with particles or irregularities in a medium. Scattering is a physical process where some forms of radiation, such as light, are forced to deviate from a straight trajectory due to non-uniformities in the medium through which they pass. Examples of scattering include Rayleigh scattering, which is responsible for the blue color of the sky, and Mie scattering, which occurs when the particles causing the scattering are larger in size compared to the wavelength of the light.
In relation to the reference provided and the properties of a laser emission, scattering can occur due to imperfections or interactions with the optical components like gratings or lenses in the laser setup. When a laser beam encounters a grating, as described in the example of the semiconductor laser emitting light at 400.0 nm, it experiences diffraction that results in the beam spreading out at various angles. This phenomenon is directly related to the wave nature of light and can be described by Bragg's Law for diffraction. Therefore, while the question is minimal in detail, the concept of light scattering and diffraction is relevant in the context of lasers and optics, affirming that a laser beam, including one at 532 nm, can be scattered.