Electromagnetic Basics

doi:10.1117/3.673407.ch2

Book: Remote Sensing from Air and Space

Author(s): R.C. Olsen

Published: 2007

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.673407.ch2

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

We have discussed various remote sensing modalities and some characteristics of modern systems; at this point, it is necessary to review some basic physics. The chief thing to understand is the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum and EM radiation, of which light, radar, and radio waves are examples. We'll look at the physical equations that underlie EM waves, the wave equations that result, their energy in the context of the photoelectric effect, sources of EM radiation, and some fundamental interactions of EM waves with matter.