Light that passes through a material is known as its transmission. This phenomenon occurs when electromagnetic radiation encounters a substance and is neither absorbed nor reflected, but instead propagates through it. The degree to which a material allows this passage varies depending on factors such as the material’s composition, thickness, and the wavelength of the radiation. A clear pane of glass, for example, permits a large portion of incident visible light to proceed through it, rendering it transparent. Conversely, an opaque object significantly impedes this passage, causing the light to be either reflected or absorbed.
The extent to which a substance allows the passage of radiation is crucial in various fields. In optics, it governs the performance of lenses and other light-manipulating devices. In remote sensing, the analysis of radiation that has interacted with the Earth’s surface provides valuable information about land cover and atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, understanding this phenomenon is vital in medical imaging techniques such as X-ray radiography, where the differential transmission of X-rays through different tissues enables the visualization of internal structures. Historically, the study of this process has been fundamental to developing our understanding of the nature of light and its interaction with matter.
