View source for Category talk:03 Electromagnetic radiation

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==Basic physical equations==

Life on earth would be impossible without solar energy. The source of the sun's energy are nuclear fusion processes of hydrogen to helium. Electromagnetic  radiation (EMR) is generated on the surface of the sun and carries solar energy through the space to the earth.

The phenomenon of EMR can be explained by two physical theories at the same time: the wave theory and the quantum theory. 
EMR can be seen as a wave with time-varying electric (E) and magnetic fields (B). These vector fields have a sine waveform, are oriented at right angles at each other and oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave travel (Fig.).

where 
wavelength = the distance between adjacent wave peaks measured in the unit lengths nanometer (1nm = 1x10-9m)or micrometer(1 mm=x 10-6m).
Frequency \textit{f} = number of peaks passing a fixed point in a given period of time measured in the unit Hertz (1 Hz = 1 cycle per second)
Amplitude \textit{A} = height of each peak and often measured as energy level (e.g. spectral irradiance [Watt per m2 per micrometer])
No medium is needed for the propagation of EMR waves. The [[wikipedia:speed of light|speed of EMR]] in vacuum.

In the quantum theory EMR is composed of discrete packets of energy known as photons or quanta. They have no mass. Planck's formula allows to calculate the energy transported by a photon :
\begin{equation}
Q=h*f
\end{equation} 
where
Q=radiant energy of a photon measured in Joule [J]
h = Planck‘s constant (6.626x10-34 Joule-Second J sec)
f = frequency [h]

Combining eq(1) and eq(2) gives 
\begin{equation}
Q=\frac{h*c}{\lambda}
\end{equation} 
The longer the wavelength involved, the lower is the radiant energy of EMR. In remote $ \lambda $ sensing w and f are used to divide the EMR spectrum in main divisions.