Which component is not part of incident radiation that strikes a surface?

Which component is not part of incident radiation that strikes a surface?

• A. Emitted
• B. Reflected
• C. Absorbed
• D. Possibly transmitted

Answer: (A)

When radiant energy reaches a surface, the energy that actually arrives from outside can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through the material. Emitted radiation, however, is energy the surface itself produces because of its own temperature. It is not part of the incident energy that struck the surface. So the component that is not part of incident radiation is emitted. For example, a hot surface emits infrared radiation regardless of what came in from the environment, while reflected, absorbed, and transmitted components come from the incoming radiation itself.

When radiant energy reaches a surface, the energy that actually arrives from outside can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted through the material. Emitted radiation, however, is energy the surface itself produces because of its own temperature. It is not part of the incident energy that struck the surface. So the component that is not part of incident radiation is emitted. For example, a hot surface emits infrared radiation regardless of what came in from the environment, while reflected, absorbed, and transmitted components come from the incoming radiation itself.