My textbook says that water is an athermanous substance i.e. the type of substance which does not transmit any incident heat radiations. But how is that true since water is transparent, light that is radiation passes through it?
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2$\begingroup$ That is for heat radiation, infrared. Visible light does not qualify as heat radiation though its ultimate fate can be heat $\endgroup$– AlchimistaCommented Jan 13, 2020 at 9:25
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$\begingroup$ So radio waves, micro waves, x-rays, etc do not qualify for heat radiation either?? $\endgroup$– naruto_022Commented Jan 13, 2020 at 9:54
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$\begingroup$ No although upon interaction with an absorber they can still results in the latter heating up. It is energy at the end. Microwave yes, the are in a way "very long wavelength infrared radiation", directly exciting thermal motion. $\endgroup$– AlchimistaCommented Jan 13, 2020 at 9:59
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$\begingroup$ Is there some reason for this consideration or is it just by convention?? $\endgroup$– naruto_022Commented Jan 13, 2020 at 10:39
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$\begingroup$ It is relevant in the context of transport properties for heat. So an atmosphere of dry N$_2$ and O$_2$ would be diathermanous. $\endgroup$– user137289Commented Jan 13, 2020 at 12:42
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