Chapter 2: Electromagnetic Radiation (pages: 25-50)

 

  1. All objects emit electromagnetic radiation.  Except for?

 

  1. Remote sensing typically looks at features on or of the earth’s surface.  Besides meteorology what purposes could there be in remote sensing of the lower atmosphere?

 

  1. What are the four major divisions of the electromagnetic spectrum as described by the text book.

 

  1. The text divides the EM spectrum into several exclusive categories based on variable ranges of wavelengths (e.g. visible light or microwave).  It also mentions two other categories called the Optical Spectrum and the Reflective Spectrum.  Define the two categories and include their conceptual purpose. 

 

  1. The text lists nine categories of EM energy ranges.  They are listed here in alphabetical orderà Far-infrared, Gamma rays, Microwave, Mid-infrared, Near-infrared, Radio, Ultraviolet, Visible and X-rays.  Match them to their respective wavelength ranges listed below.

 

 

<.03nm

 

.03-300nm

 

.30-.38µm

 

.38-.72µm

 

.72-1.30µm

 

1.30-3.00µm

 

7.0-1000µm

 

1mm – 30cm

 

≥30cm

 

  1. List the three additive and three subtractive primary colors.

 

  1. What are the three principle forms of scattering (redirecting) EM energy?  What are the principle cause(s) of each type of scattering?

 

  1. What are a) three properties displayed by electromagnetic energy and how are they defined? b) Which of the above properties is commonly used in remote sensing to define regions of the spectrum and what unit of measurement?

 

  1. What is the name and value of that portion of the solar spectrum used directly in remote sensing and what are the names of the radiation divisions in this spectrum.

 

  1. What are a) three physical processes that effect the modification of solar energy as it passes through the earth’s atmosphere and b) three processes that can occur as electromagnetic energy reaches the earth’s surface?

 

  1. Why is the sky blue? (name and describe the phenomena that causes this and the effects related to remote sensing)

 

  1. What three atmospheric gases are responsible for most of the absorption of solar radiation and where do they occur in the atmosphere?

 

 

Chapter 4: Digital Data (pages: 93-121)

 

  1. What is a digital image composed of?

 

  1. It is possible for pixels to carry information about ground areas smaller than the instantaneous field of view (ISOV). Is this statement true or false?

 

  1. How is spectral sensitivity measured and why is it measured that way?

 

  1. What does signal-to-noise ratio in remotely sensed images refer to?

 

  1. Are remote sensing instruments designed to have a high or low signal to noise ratio?

 

  1. What are the least amounts of bits necessary to store the number 189?

 

  1. How many bytes are in a kilobyte?

 

  1. How is digital data recorded?

 

  1. What is the difference between lossy and lossless compression?

 

  1. Name 3 factors that influence the brightness of radiation reflected from the earth’s surface?