Radiation and Its Properties

Front

Emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles.

Back

radiation

Front

The bouncing back of radiation when it hits a surface.

Back

reflection

Front

The efficiency of a surface in emitting energy as radiation.

Back

emissivity

Front

The measure of reflectivity of a surface, specifically the fraction of solar energy reflected back into space.

Back

albedo

Front

The passage of radiation through a medium.

Back

transmission

Front

The process by which matter takes up radiation energy.

Back

absorption

Front

An idealized physical body that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation.

Back

black body

Front

A theoretical body that reflects all incident radiation.

Back

white body

Front

A body that has 0 < e < 1 and 0 < a <1, which means neither perfectly radiate nor reflect.

Back

Grey bodies, real bodies, e + a = 1

Front

varies with the surface temperature of the body

Back

emissivity/emission