Transmittance is the fraction of incident radiant energy (light, sound, or other waves) that passes through a material or medium. It quantifies how effectively a substance allows energy to travel through it. Values range from 0 (complete absorption or reflection) to 1 (complete passage). The transmittance depends on the material's properties, the wavelength of the energy, and the thickness of the material. Understanding transmittance is crucial in fields like optics, acoustics, and materials science, influencing applications from window design to medical imaging. It is often expressed as a percentage.
Transmittance meaning with examples
- The tinted car windows had a low transmittance of visible light, ensuring privacy and reducing glare for passengers. This was measured using a light meter to determine the amount of light which passed through the glass. The low value helped to protect the vehicle’s interior from UV damage by absorbing much of the sun's UV rays, maintaining cooler temperatures.
- In a spectrophotometer, transmittance is measured across different wavelengths to identify a substance. The machine measured the amount of light passing through a sample to help understand the characteristics of a new chemical compound. High transmittance values at specific wavelengths are used for identification and characterization of the material.
- A fiber optic cable's design relies on high transmittance to ensure the efficient transmission of data over long distances. The cable is carefully made of materials like glass and plastic to transmit the light signals with minimal loss. The light is channelled through the cable due to the properties of the materials involved.
- Acoustic engineers consider the transmittance of building materials when designing soundproof rooms. Sound absorption is also a factor, but a low transmittance of sound ensures that noise from outside the room won't be heard. The thickness and density of the walls play an essential role in blocking unwanted noise.
- The effectiveness of a sunscreen is based on its UV transmittance which is designed to block harmful rays from the sun. High transmittance of UV light would indicate that the sunscreen doesn’t work well. The formula is created to provide skin with the right balance of protection and effectiveness.
Transmittance Synonyms
passage penetration permeance throughput transmissionTransmittance Antonyms
absorbance attenuation impermeability opacity reflectanceTransmittance Crossword Answers
12 Letters
TRANSMISSION