lavallie_reflectivity_rs_student.doc.docVIP

Reflectivity in Remote Sensing The amount of absorbance and reflection of white light by a substance is dependent upon the molecular makeup of the substance. Humans have used dyes for years to obtain colors- not realizing that the molecular properties of that substance meant that the reflected wavelengths were those seen by the eye, while the other wavelengths were absorbed. White light (visible light) from the sun is composed of all visible wavelengths, which appear to us to be different colors when separated by a prism or diffraction grating. Solids, liquids and gases tend to absorb frequencies which will cause electrons in their atoms to jump up to the next energy orbital (quantum energy). For solids, this results only in vibration and for liquids and gases this energy usually translates to movement, although some atoms and molecules may produce light or sound energy as well. By definition, a transparent substance is not absorbing visible wavelengths at all. The wavelength of the light is the wave distance from crest to crest, usually in nm. The energy is measured in joules, the same unit for work. Frequency is measured as cycles/sec or hertz, or the number of wave crests which pass a given point per second. Frequency is directly related to energy and indirectly related to wavelength. This means that very short waves are high in energy and have high frequencies (such as gamma rays). All of these parameters are tied together in several equations: V = ???????????????where wave velocity is equal to wavelength x frequency And ?E = h ?????? where energy change (of electron) is equal to Plank’s constant x frequency. Is it possible for substances to absorb electromagnetic radiation in other than visible wavelengths? Yes, and the infrared or ultraviolet radiation that is absorbed can be used to identify substances. It takes special instruments to detect the absorbed frequencies since we cannot see any of this radi