Final answer:
When light interacts with crushed ice, it is diffused by refraction, which is a type of scattering. The irregularities on the surface of the ice cause the light to refract in different directions, leading to a diffuse reflection. Scattering also occurs in other situations, such as the blue color of the sky and the white appearance of clouds.
Step-by-step explanation:
When light interacts with crushed ice, it can be diffused by refraction. Refraction occurs when light passes through a medium with a different optical density, causing the light to change direction. In the case of crushed ice, the irregularities on the surface of the ice cause the light to refract in many different directions, leading to diffuse reflection.
This type of light diffusion is called scattering. It occurs when light waves encounter rough surfaces or particles that are smaller than the wavelength of light. The random scattering of light in all directions creates a diffuse reflection, making the light appear scattered rather than focused. This is why crushed ice can appear hazy or cloudy when light interacts with it.
Other examples of scattering include the blue color of the sky, which is caused by the scattering of shorter-wavelength blue light by molecules in the atmosphere, and the white appearance of clouds, which is due to the scattering of sunlight by tiny water droplets or ice crystals in the clouds.