The Electromagnetic

Spectrum
Electromagnetic Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR)is defined as all
energy that moves with the velocity of light in a
harmonic wave pattern.
Electromagnetic Radiation
Wavelength is the distance between one position
in a wave cycle to the same position in the next
wave

Frequency is the number of wave cycles

passing the same point in a given time period
Electromagnetic Radiation
The mathematical relationship between wavelength and
frequency is expressed by the following equation:

C=ʎ * v,

Where ʎ is wavelength, v is frequency, C is the speed of light

(which is constant at 300,000 km per s in a vacuum)
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible
frequencies of electromagnetic radiation.
Interactions of Matter with EMR
Absorption
Absorption of electromagnetic radiation is the way in
which the energy of a photon is taken up by matter. The
electromagnetic energy is transformed into internal energy of
the absorber.
Interactions of Matter with EMR
Reflection

Reflection of electromagnetic radiation the returning or

throwing back of electromagnetic radiation such as light.
Different objects reflects different parts of the electromagnetic
spectrum which results to objects having different colors
Interactions of Matter with EMR
Scattering
Scattering is a process where some forms of radiation,
such as light, sound, or moving particles, are forced to deviate
from a straight trajectory by one or more paths due to localized
non-uniformities in the medium through which they pass
Interactions of Matter with EMR
Emission

Some objects emits radiation. The most common from of

electromagnetic radiation from objects is heat
Interactions of Matter with EMR
Transmission

Some objects/matter does not reflect or absorb certain

wavelengths. These objects are used to transmit
electromagnetic waves from one location to another. Examples
of objects that transmit EMR are air, copper wires.
Portions of the EM Spectrum
The following are the portions of the EM Spectrum:

Gamma Rays
X – Rays
UV Radiation
Visible Radiation
Infrared Radiation
Microwaves
Radiowaves

Each of these portions represent a range of wavelengths with

unclear boundaries since the EM spectrum is continuous
Portions of the EM Spectrum
Wavelengths used in Remote Sensing
Passive sensors that rely on sun’s electromagnetic radiation use
the visible radiation and the infrared radiation for earth
observation. This is mainly because the atmosphere either
absorbs or reflect harmful radiation from the sun like UV, X and
Gamma rays.

This range is popularly known in Remote Sensing as VNIR

spectrum (Visible – Near Infrared Spectrum)
Wavelengths used in Remote Sensing
Active sensors rely on man made electro magnetic radiation like
microwave to transmit EM waves to the target and detect the
amount of energy reflected back to the sensor.

An example of microwave used in remote sensing is Radio

Detection and Ranging or RADAR.