DEPARTMENT OF ECE

CEC348 REMOTE SENSING

TWO MARKS WITH ANSWERS
UNIT I – REMOTE SENSING AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
1. Write the Stefan-Boltzman law.
The Stefan-Boltzmann law describes how the total energy radiated per unit
surface area of a black body is related to its temperature. The law is given by:

where:

 j∗ is the total energy radiated per unit surface area (also known as the radiant emittance),
 σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, approximately 5.67×10−8 W m−2 K−4
 T is the absolute temperature of the black body in kelvins (K).

2. Define remote sensing.

Remote sensing is the process of acquiring information about an object or
phenomenon without making physical contact with it. This is typically achieved using
various types of sensors and instruments that detect and measure electromagnetic
radiation reflected or emitted by the target.

3. State the Wein’s displacement law.

Wien’s Displacement Law states that the wavelength at which the emission of
a black body spectrum is maximized is inversely proportional to the absolute
temperature of the black body. Mathematically, it is expressed as:

4. Describe Planck’s equation.

Planck’s equation describes the spectral distribution of electromagnetic
radiation emitted by a black body in thermal equilibrium at a given temperature. The
equation provides the intensity of radiation emitted at different wavelengths or
frequencies. It is given by:
5. List the components of remote sensing.
Remote sensing involves several key components that work together to acquire
and process data about an object or area without physical contact. The main components
are:
1. Sensors
2. Platforms
3. Energy source
4. Radiation and the Atmosphere
5. Interaction with the target
6. Recording of energy by the sensor
7. Transmission, Reception and Processing
8. Interpretation and analysis
9. Application

6. What is black body?

A black body is a theoretical concept in physics that represents an idealized
object that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation completely, without reflecting
or transmitting any. In other words, it is a perfect absorber of radiation.

7. List the merits and demerits of data collection in remote sensing.

 Merits:
High Resolution and Detail
Direct Ground Truthing
Contextual Understanding
 Demerits:
Labor-Intensive
Limited Coverage
Access Issues
8. Draw the sketch of Electromagnetic Spectrum.

9. Write the importance of wave theory and radiation theory in remote sensing.
 Wave Theory: Essential for understanding how electromagnetic radiation travels,
interacts with materials, and is detected by remote sensing instruments. It informs
sensor design, data interpretation, and resolution considerations.
 Radiation Theory: Provides the foundation for interpreting emitted and absorbed
radiation, analyzing spectral signatures, and applying thermal remote sensing. It is
crucial for understanding energy transfer and correcting data for atmospheric effects.

10. List the types of remote sensing.

 Passive remote sensing systems detect and measure natural radiation that is reflected
or emitted by the Earth's surface and atmosphere. These systems do not emit their own
radiation; instead, they rely on external sources of energy, such as the sun.
 Active remote sensing systems emit their own energy (usually in the form of
electromagnetic waves) and measure the radiation that is reflected or scattered back
from the target. This allows for data collection regardless of external lighting
conditions.
 UNIT – II EMR INTERACTION WITH ATMOSPHERE AND EARTH
MATERIAL
1. What is Rayleigh scattering?
Rayleigh scattering, occurs when particles in the atmosphere are significantly
smaller than the wavelength of the incoming radiation. This type of scattering affects all
wavelengths of light or electromagnetic radiation equally, meaning it does not preferentially
scatter one wavelength over another.

2. Define spectral reflectance.

Spectral reflectance is a measure of the proportion of incident electromagnetic
radiation that is reflected off a surface or object at different wavelengths. It is expressed as a
ratio of the reflected radiance to the incident radiance and varies with wavelength, providing
a spectral profile of the surface's reflective properties.

3. Draw the typical spectral reflectance curves for vegetation, soil and water.
 4. Describe atmospheric effects.
Atmospheric effects refer to the various ways in which the Earth's atmosphere
interacts with electromagnetic radiation, affecting the quality and accuracy of remote sensing
data. These interactions can modify the incoming and outgoing radiation, leading to
distortions in the data collected by remote sensing instruments.
5. What is non-selective scattering?
Non-Selective Scattering:
 Occurs: When particles are much larger than the wavelength of radiation.
 Effect: Scatters all wavelengths equally, often seen in fog, clouds, and dense
smoke.
 Impact: Reduces visibility and clarity, leading to less detailed and accurate
remote sensing data.
6. What is Atmospheric window?
An atmospheric window is a range of wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum
where the Earth's atmosphere is relatively transparent to electromagnetic radiation. This
transparency means that radiation can pass through the atmosphere with minimal absorption
or scattering, allowing for clearer and more accurate remote sensing observations in these
wavelengths.
 UNIT – III ORBITS AND PLATFORMS
1. What are the types of platforms?
A platform is the vehicle or carrier for remote sensors. They are classified into three
categories,
1. Ground-based platforms
2. Airborne platforms
3. Space borne platforms
2. What is a Geo-synchronous orbit?
A geosynchronous orbit is a type of orbit where a satellite orbits the Earth with a
period that matches the Earth's rotation period. This means that the satellite completes
one orbit around the Earth in the same amount of time that the Earth takes to complete
one full rotation on its axis, approximately 24 hours.
3. Differentiate Geo-synchronous and Sun-synchronous satellites.
Geo-synchronous Sun-synchronous
These types of satellites move at equal speed These types of satellites pass around
with the earth’s rotation. the earth along the poles.
Geostationary satellites orbit the earth at an Sun synchronous satellites orbit the earth at
altitude of 36000 km. an altitude of 500 km-800 km.
The field of view of the geostationary The field of view of the sun synchronous
satellites is large. satellites is small.
Geostationary satellites are used for Sun synchronous satellites are used to predict
telecommunication and Weather studies. storms and monitor forest fires and floods.
Examples of geostationary satellites are Examples of sun synchronous satellites are
India’s INSAT satellites. IRS, LANDSAT.

4. Define Legrange orbit.

A Lagrange orbit refers to the positions around the Earth (or any two-body system)
where the gravitational forces of the two large bodies, along with the centripetal force of a
smaller object, are in equilibrium. These positions are known as Lagrange points and are
particularly useful for placing satellites or space observatories.
5. Write Kepler’s law of planetary motion.
Kepler's laws of planetary motion describe the motion of planets around the Sun.
 Kepler's First Law (Law of Ellipses)
Statement: Each planet moves along an elliptical orbit with the Sun at one of the two
foci of the ellipse.
 Kepler's Second Law (Law of Equal Areas)
 Statement: A line segment joining a planet and the Sun sweeps out equal areas
during equal intervals of time.
 Kepler's Third Law (Law of Harmonies)
Statement: The Square of the orbital period of a planet is directly proportional to the
cube of the semi-major axis of its orbit.
6. State Newton’s law of gravitation.
Newton's Law of Gravitation states that:
"Every mass attracts every other mass in the universe with a force that is directly
proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the
distance between their centers."
7. Describe Orbital perturbations and maneuvers.
Orbital perturbations refer to deviations from a satellite's predicted orbit due to
various factors that can influence its trajectory.
Orbital maneuvers are deliberate adjustments made to a spacecraft’s orbit to
achieve a specific mission objective or counteract perturbations. They involve changing
the spacecraft’s velocity to alter its trajectory.
 UNIT-IV SENSING TECHNIQUES
1. Distinguish between active and passive sensors.

 Active Sensors:

 Emit their own energy (e.g., radar, lidar).

 Can operate in all weather conditions and at any time.
 Complex and expensive, with precise control over emitted signals.

 Passive Sensors:

 Detect natural energy (e.g., optical, thermal infrared).

 Depend on external sources of illumination or thermal radiation.
 Simpler and less expensive, but affected by environmental conditions and time of day.

2. Write short notes about spatial resolution.

Spatial resolution defines the level of detail that an imaging system can capture,
determined by the size of the smallest resolvable feature in the image. It is measured in
terms of the size of the area on the ground represented by a single pixel and directly impacts
the quality and utility of the imagery for various applications. Higher spatial resolution
provides more detail, but comes with increased data demands and potential trade-offs with
other imaging parameters.
3. Write any two advantages of active sensors over passive sensors.
4. List the types of sensors in remote sensing.
Sensors can be categorized based on their method of data acquisition, the type of
energy they measure, and their specific applications. Here’s a list of different types of
sensors used in remote sensing:
 Optical Sensors
 Infrared Sensors
 Radar Sensors
 Lidar Sensors
 Microwave Sensors
5. Illustrate along and across track scanners.
Along-Track Scanners
Definition: Along-track scanners, also known as push-broom scanners, capture data in
the direction of the sensor's movement, or along the track of the satellite or aircraft.
Across-Track Scanners
Definition: Across-track scanners, also known as whisk-broom scanners, capture data
perpendicular to the direction of the sensor's movement.
6. List the types of resolution.
 Spatial resolution
 Spectral resolution
 Temporal resolution
 Radiometric resolution
 UNIT-V DATA PRODUCTS AND INTERPRETATION
1. What is the importance of Image enhancement?
Image enhancement is a crucial step in the process of analysing and interpreting
images, particularly in remote sensing and other imaging fields.
 Improves Visual Interpretation
 Facilitates Accurate Analysis
 Enhances Feature Extraction
 Optimizes Data for Further Processing
 Supports Visualization and Communication
2. List the types of remote sensing data products.
 Standard products – Path/row products, Geocoded products
 Special products – Ortho image
 Digital data products – CD-ROM products

3. What are Interpretation keys?

Interpretation keys are systematic frameworks or reference tools used to identify and
interpret features and objects in remote sensing imagery. They can be visual or textual
guides that assist in decoding the information captured by sensors.
4. Summarize the elements of photo interpretation keys.
 Size
 Shape
 Tone
 Pattern
 Texture
 Shadow
 Association
 Site
5. What is pre-processing of an image?
Pre-processing of an image refers to the initial steps taken to prepare raw remote
sensing data for analysis. These steps are crucial for correcting and enhancing the data to
ensure that it is suitable for further processing, analysis, and interpretation. In the pre-
processing, prepare data for subsequent analysis that attempts to correct or compensate for
systematic errors.
6. Differentiate supervised and unsupervised image classification.

Supervised Image Classification:

 Data Requirement: Needs labeled training samples.

 Algorithm: Uses training data to classify pixels based on known classes.
  Accuracy: Depends on the quality of training samples and validation.
 Control: More user control and customization.
 Applications: Accurate land use and land cover mapping, detailed analysis.

Unsupervised Image Classification:

 Data Requirement: Does not need labeled data.

 Algorithm: Groups pixels into clusters based on spectral properties.
 Accuracy: Requires post-processing and interpretation of clusters.
 Control: Less user control, more automated.
 Applications: Exploratory analysis, initial data segmentation.

7. Describe spatial filtering.

Spatial filtering is a technique used in image processing and remote sensing to
enhance or modify the spatial characteristics of an image. It involves applying a filter or
convolution operation to the image to alter its appearance and emphasize or suppress certain
features. The primary goal of spatial filtering is to improve the quality of the image or to
extract meaningful information from it.