Transmission occurs when any form of electromagnetic radiation passes through a medium.
- Transmission refers to the passage of any form of electromagnetic radiation through a medium.
- If no electromagnetic radiation is reflected or absorbed as it passes through a medium, then it is considered to have achieved 100% transmission.
- The transmittance of a material describes how well it transmits radiant energy and is calculated as the fraction of incident electromagnetic power that is transmitted through the material.
- The opposite of transmission is absorption, where electromagnetic radiation is absorbed by a medium and converted into other forms of energy, such as heat.
- The degree of transmission of electromagnetic radiation through a material can depend on factors such as the wavelength of the radiation, the thickness and composition of the medium, and the angle of incidence of the radiation.
- The degree of transmission can also vary depending on the type of electromagnetic radiation. For example, materials that transmit visible light well may not transmit ultraviolet light or infrared radiation as effectively.
Related diagrams
Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.
