Question

Bolometer is used to detect (A) infrared rays (B) ultraviolet rays (C) x rays (D) \(\gamma\) rays

Short answer

A Bolometer is a sensitive instrument used to measure the intensity of radiation by the amount of heat it produces when it is absorbed by a material. Bolometers are particularly sensitive to long-wavelength radiation, specifically infrared radiation. Thus, the correct answer is (A) infrared rays.

Step-by-step solution

Understand what a Bolometer is

A Bolometer is a sensitive instrument used to measure the intensity of radiation by the amount of heat it produces when it is absorbed by a material. It typically consists of an absorptive element connected to a thermal reservoir through a thermal link. The temperature change of the absorptive element is then measured, which is proportional to the power of the incident radiation.

Determine the type of radiation detected by a Bolometer

Bolometers are particularly sensitive to long-wavelength radiation, specifically infrared radiation. This is because the longer wavelengths are more readily absorbed by the material in the Bolometer, leading to a greater temperature change and thus a stronger signal. Additionally, Bolometers have been widely used in astronomical and earth remote sensing applications for detecting infrared radiation. Therefore, the correct answer is: (A) infrared rays