TERMIUM Plus®

The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.

SHORTWAVE RADIATION [2 records]

Record 1 2006-04-12

English

Subject field(s)
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Atmospheric Physics
DEF

Radiation with wavelengths from 0.3 to about 4 µm.

CONT

... electromagnetic spectrum ... encompasses very short waves (cosmic rays) to light waves (ultraviolet, visible, and infrared) to very long (heat, radio waves, and AC electricity). ... Our environment shows color because of the selective absorption and reflection: A leaf appears green because much of the blue and red in the sun light that illuminates the leaf have been absorbed. Absorption of radiation has many different effects on substances depending on the wavelength of the radiation. Very short wave radiation, such as X-rays and cosmic rays penetrate into the core of an atom and can cause ionization or even nuclear changes.

CONT

All objects whose temperatures are above absolute zero emit energy proportional to their temperature. This is called thermal energy. This energy is emitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation whose average wavelength is inversely proportional to the object's temperature. Thus, the hot sun emits short-wave radiation which is mainly UV radiation and visible light; the cooler Earth and atmosphere emit long-wave radiation, which is mainly in the form of invisible light called infrared radiation.

CONT

Due to the high temperature of the sun, solar radiation has a short wavelength (hence it is called short-wave radiation) and consists primary of UV radiation and visible light.

CONT

... ultraviolet radiation (sometimes called "short wave" radiation - 280 to 320 nanometres) ...

Key term(s)
  • shortwave radiation
  • short wave-length radiation

French

Domaine(s)
  • Rayonnements électromagnétiques
  • Physique de l'atmosphère
DEF

Rayonnement de longueurs d'onde de 0,3 à environ 4 µm.

CONT

En météorologie, le rayonnement est fréquemment subdivisé en rayonnement de courtes longueurs d'onde, inférieures à environ quatre micromètres, d'origine essentiellement solaire, et en rayonnement de grandes longueurs d'ondes supérieures à quatre micromètres, correspondant à l'émission thermique au niveau de la Terre.

Key term(s)
  • rayonnement de courtes longueurs d'ondes

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Radiación electromagnética
  • Física de la atmósfera
DEF

Radiación con una longitud de onda comprendida entre 0,3 y 4 µm aproximadamente.

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Record 2 1986-03-27

English

Subject field(s)
  • Radio Waves
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
DEF

A term used loosely to distinguish radiation in the visible and near-visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum (roughly 0.4 to 1.0 micrometers in wavelength) from longwave radiation (infra-red radiation).

French

Domaine(s)
  • Ondes radioélectriques
  • Rayonnements électromagnétiques
OBS

Grande sensibilité aux courtes longueurs d'onde du spectre solaire. Les courtes longueurs d'onde du spectre visible.

Spanish

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