Reflectivity

From ExoDictionary
Jump to: navigation, search
This definition page has been automatically generated.
You can help ExoDictionary by expanding, updating, or correcting it.


This autostub has not yet had its initial copyediting proof and may contain significant formatting and even factual errors. You can improve Exodictionary by cleaning up the page markup and verifying that the definition is correct and then removing this tag.


This autostub has not yet had its initial categorization proof and may be categorized incorrectly. You can improve Exodictionary by removing inappropriate categories and then removing this tag.


Reflectivity

</dt>
1. A measure of the fraction of radiation reflected by a given surface; defined as the ratio of the radiant energy reflected to the total that is incident upon that surface. Compare reflection coefficient. See radar reflectivity. </dd>
The reflectivity of any given substance is, in general, a variable strongly dependent upon the wavelength of the radiation in question. The reflectivity of a given surface for a specified broad spectral range, such as the visible spectrum or the solar spectrum, is referred to as the albedo. </dd>
2. In thermal radiation, a property of a material, measured as the reflectance of a specimen of the material that is thick enough to be completely opaque and has an optically smooth surface. [[/a>|/a> ]]

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use