Chapter Two Electromagnetic Radiation

CHAPTER TWO
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
Contents
2.1 Electromagnetic Waves (Basic Physics)
2.2 Radiation – Target Interaction
2.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum

2.1 Electromagnetic Waves (Basic Physics)

Electromagnetic waves are energy transported through space in the form of
periodic disturbances of electric and magnetic fields. The form of this
energy is considered as photon.

All electromagnetic waves travel through space at the speed of light.

An electromagnetic wave is characterized by a frequency and a

wavelength.

The amount of energy carried by a photon:  = hf

h=Planck’s constant (6.62610-34 Js)

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The wavelength is the length of one wave cycle.

Frequency
Frequency refers to the number of cycles of a wave passing a fixed point
per unit of time. Frequency is normally measured in hertz (Hz),

Wavelength and frequency are related by the following formula:

Frequency, n, is inversely proportional to wavelength, l.

The longer the wavelength, the lower the frequency, and vice-versa.

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How is Energy Transferred?

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2.2 Radiation – Target Interaction

The sun's energy is either reflected, as it is for visible wavelengths, or
transmitted, scattered or absorbed and then reemitted, as it is for
thermal infrared wavelengths.

• Spectral response depends on target

• Leaves reflect green and near IR
• Water reflects at lower end of visible range

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Scattering
 Once electromagnetic radiation is generated, it is propagated through
the earth's atmosphere almost at the speed of light in a vacuum.

 Unlike a vacuum in which nothing happens, however, the

atmosphere may affect not only the speed of radiation but also its
wavelength, intensity, spectral distribution, and/or direction.

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 Scatter differs from reflection in that the direction associated with

scattering is unpredictable, whereas the direction of reflection is
predictable. There are essentially three types of scattering:

• Rayleigh,

• Mie, and

• Non-selective.

Atmospheric Scattering
Type of scattering is a function of:

• the wavelength of the incident radiant energy, and

• the size of the gas molecule, dust particle, and/or water vapor droplet
encountered.

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Rayleigh scattering
Rayleigh scattering occurs when the diameter of the matter (usually air
molecules) are many times smaller than the wavelength of the incident
electromagnetic radiation.

The amount of scattering is inversely related to the fourth power of the

radiation's wavelength. For example, blue light (0.4 mm) is scattered 16
times more than near-infrared light (0.8 mm).

Rayleigh scattering is responsible for the blue sky.

Rayleigh scattering is responsible for red sunsets.

The intensity of Rayleigh scattering varies inversely with the fourth power
of the wavelength (l-4).

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Mie scattering
Mie scattering takes place when there are essentially spherical particles
present in the atmosphere with diameters approximately equal to the
wavelength of radiation being considered.

The amount of scatter is greater than Rayleigh scatter and the wavelengths
scattered are longer.

Non-selective scattering
Non-selective scattering is produced when there are particles in the
atmosphere several times the diameter of the radiation being transmitted.

Scattering can severely reduce the information content of remotely sensed

data to the point that the imagery looses contrast and it is difficult to
differentiate one object from another.

Absorption
Absorption is the process by which radiant energy is absorbed and
converted into other forms of energy.

The atmosphere does not absorb all of the incident energy but transmits it
effectively. Parts of the spectrum that transmit energy effectively are called
“atmospheric windows”.

2.3 Electromagnetic Spectrum

The frequency (and hence, the wavelength) of an electromagnetic wave
depends on its source. There is a wide range of frequency encountered in
our physical world, ranging from the low frequency of the electric waves
generated by the power transmission lines to the very high frequency of the
gamma rays originating from the atomic nuclei.

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These wide frequency ranges of electromagnetic waves constitute the

Electromagnetic Spectrum.

The electromagnetic spectrum can be divided into several wavelength

(frequency) regions, among which only a narrow band from about 400 to
700 nm is visible to the human eyes. Note that there is no sharp boundary
between these regions. The boundaries shown in the figures are
approximate and there are overlaps between two adjacent regions.
Wavelength units: 1mm = 1000 μm; 1μm=1000 nm.

1-Gamma Rays <0.30 nm: This range is completely absorbed by the

upper atmosphere and not available for remote sensing.

2-X-Rays 0.03—30.0 nm: This range is completely absorbed by the

atmosphere and not employed in remote sensing.

3-Ultraviolet: 0.03—0.40 μm

i-Hard UV 0.03—0.3 μm: This range is completely absorbed by the

atmosphere and not employed in remote sensing.

ii-Photographic UV 0.30—0.40 μm: This range is not absorbed by the

atmosphere and detectable with film and photo detectors but with severe
atmospheric scattering.

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4-Visible Light: This narrow band of electromagnetic radiation extends

from about 400 nm (violet) to about 700 nm (red). It‘s Available for remote
sensing the Earth, can be imaged with photographic film.

Violet: 400 - 430 nm

Indigo: 430 - 450 nm

Blue: 450 - 500 nm: Because water increasingly absorbs electromagnetic

(EM) radiation at longer wavelengths, band 1 provides the best data for
mapping depth15 detail of water-covered areas. It is also used for soil-
vegetation discrimination, forest mapping, and distinguishing cultural
features.

Green: 500 - 570 nm: The blue-green region of the spectrum corresponds
to the chlorophyll absorption of healthy vegetation and is useful for
mapping detail such as depth or sediment in water bodies. Cultural features
such as roads and buildings also show up well in this band.

Yellow: 570 - 590 nm

Orange: 590 - 610 nm

Red: 610 - 700 nm: Chlorophyll absorbs these wavelengths in healthy

vegetation.

Hence, this band is useful for distinguishing plant species, as well as soil
and geologic boundaries

5-Infrared: 0.7 to 300 μm wavelength. This region is sensitive to plant

water content, which is a useful measure in studies of vegetation health.
This band is also used for distinguishing clouds, snow, and ice, mapping
geologic formations and soil boundaries. It is also responsive to plant and
soil moisture content. This region is further divided into the following
bands:

a-Near Infrared (NIR): 0.7 to 1.5 μm.

b-Short Wavelength Infrared (SWIR): 1.5 to 3 μm.

c-Mid Wavelength Infrared (MWIR): 3 to 8 μm.

d-Long Wavelength Infrared (LWIR): 8 to 15 μm.

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e-Far Infrared (FIR): longer than 15 μm.

The NIR and SWIR are also known as the Reflected Infrared, referring to
the main infrared component of the solar radiation reflected from the earth's
surface.

6-Microwaves (Radar) 1 mm to 1 m wavelength.

Microwaves can penetrate clouds, fog, and rain. Images can be acquired in
the active or passive mode. Radar is the active form of microwave remote
sensing. Radar images are acquired at various wavelength bands

7-Radio and TV Waves: 10 cm to 10 km wavelength.

The longest-wavelength portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

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