Which sensor mode is an IR sensor that can observe artificial and natural light in black and white?

• A. NIR
• B. LWIR
• C. SWIR
• D. UV

Answer: (C)

Infrared imaging relies on different wavelength bands, and what the sensor responds to—reflected light versus emitted heat—determines the imaging mode. Observing artificial and natural light in black and white means you’re capturing reflected infrared light, not heat.

Short-wave infrared covers roughly 1 to 3 micrometers, a range where daylight and many artificial light sources still emit and objects reflect IR light well. Images from this band are typically grayscale because you’re measuring intensity in that infrared band, not color information. That makes it well-suited for scenes lit by both natural and artificial light while producing a black-and-white image.

In contrast, long-wave infrared captures thermal emission from objects (heat) and isn’t about reflected ambient light, and ultraviolet is outside the infrared range entirely. So the mode that fits observing artificial and natural light in grayscale is short-wave infrared.