What shapes are better at reflecting light?

Question

For example a snowflake, circle, diamond shaped, etc. I am looking for shapes on microscopic level that reflect light the best.

Answer 1

i guess that the shape doesn't so much matter, i mean there might be a few that reflect more than others but my guess would be the surface of an object makes all the difference.

why do you need to know that?

Answer 2

i think it would just depend on surface area. unless your talking like three dimensional objejcts that might change things.

Answer 3

All shapes made up of he same surface area, texture and color reflect the same amount of light.  But the shape can cause it to scatter in different directions.  For shapes that will will reflect the most light in the same direction, up to the eyepiece of a microscope you should used conic sections.

A head light in a car is a good example of the shape you seem to be looking for,  a cut diamond scatters light in all directions.  After these curved conic sections a flat surface tilted in the right direction is best.

Answer 4

triangle because there is a larger surface area.

Answer 5

i agree with dougger as most of 1d shapes have almost the same capability of reflecting lights.

3d shapes make all the different.

satellite dish shape (something like what dougger suggest) probably the best shape to reflect wave to a certain point.