Question

Transmittance is given as T = P/Po. If Po is the power incident on the sample, what does P represent?

(a) Radiant power transmitted by the sample

(b) Radiant power absorbed by the sample

(c) Sum of powers absorbed and scattered

(d) Sum of powers transmitted and reflected

The question was asked in a job interview.

The doubt is from Introduction to UV Visible Spectrometers in division Colorimetry and Spectrometry of Analytical Instrumentation

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) Radiant power transmitted by the sample

To explain I would say: P represents radiant power transmitted by the sample. Transmittance is the ratio of radiant power transmitted by the sample to the radiant power that is incident on it.