RTC stands for what in infrared thermography?

• A. Reflected Temperature Coefficient
• B. Radiant Temperature Constant
• C. Real Temperature Calibration
• D. Reflected Apparent Temperature

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that an infrared camera reads radiance, which comes from both emission by the surface and reflection of ambient radiation from the surroundings. The portion caused by those reflections is called Reflected Apparent Temperature. It represents the ambient temperature that is being reflected by the surface, not the actual temperature of the surface itself. This reflected component can become significant on surfaces with low emissivity or high reflectivity, leading to readings that don’t match the true surface temperature unless you account for it. To get the real temperature, you adjust for emissivity and the RTC, or use strategies to minimize reflections. The other terms aren’t standard concepts used to describe this reflected contribution.