Infrared satellite detectors
A)detect shortwave radiation.
B)emit waves at the 6.7 micrometer frequency.
C)receive a weaker signal from a tall cloud than from a low-lying cloud.
D)have been phased out in favor of water vapor detectors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Infrared satellite detectors receive a weaker signal from a tall cloud than from a low-lying cloud because the signal has to travel through more of the Earth's atmosphere and become weakened by absorption and scattering. They do not emit any waves themselves, but rather detect the infrared radiation emitted from Earth's surface and atmosphere. They have not been phased out in favor of water vapor detectors, but rather continue to be an important tool in meteorology and remote sensing. Option A is incorrect as infrared detectors detect longwave radiation, not shortwave radiation. Option B is incorrect as the 6.7 micrometer frequency is only one of many wavelengths that can be detected by infrared sensors.

Infrared Satellite Detectors