reflectance

American  

[ri-flek-tuhns] / rɪˈflɛk təns /

noun

Physics, Optics.

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

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reflectance British  

/ rɪˈflɛktəns /

noun

1.  ρ.  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 Compare transmittance absorptance

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Etymology

Origin of reflectance

First recorded in 1925–30; reflect + -ance

Example Sentences

To explore this idea, they examined reflectance, which refers to how much light a surface reflects.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

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

From Salon • Oct. 13, 2022

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 • Oct. 7, 2022

That same process also changes the reflectance of the surface, exposing more dark ground and evaporating more water.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2021

I reviewed for them the main excitement of the evening, briefly filling their inquiries and in return receiving a small dose of chit-chat for my own reflectance.

From Through these Eyes The courageous struggle to find meaning in a life stressed with cancer by Isaacson, Lauren Ann