An agricultural drone is deployed to monitor soil moisture levels beneath a dense forest canopy. The drone's imaging system can utilize either near-infrared radiation or microwaves.
Explain why the microwave sensor is able to detect soil moisture through the thick canopy, whereas the near-infrared camera is unable to do so.
26 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 5.2 The electromagnetic spectrum, covering 5.2.1 Electromagnetic waves and refraction in glass (core practical), 5.2.2 Groups of the electromagnetic spectrum, 5.2.3 Wavelength-dependent behaviour of EM waves, and 5.2.4 Velocities of EM waves in different substances. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.