Infrared radiation

Definition

Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves, ranging from approximately 700 nm to 1 mm. It is commonly associated with thermal radiation emitted by objects due to their temperature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Infrared radiation is situated between visible light and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum.
2. Objects at room temperature emit most of their thermal energy in the infrared region.
3. The energy carried by infrared photons is lower than that of visible light photons.
4. Infrared radiation is used in various applications including night-vision technology, remote controls, and thermal imaging.
5. $Planck's$ $Law$ describes the intensity of radiation emitted by a blackbody as a function of wavelength, showing that the peak emission shifts to longer wavelengths at lower temperatures.

Review Questions

• What is the typical wavelength range for infrared radiation?
• How does the energy of infrared photons compare to that of visible light photons?
• Name two practical applications of infrared radiation.

Related terms

Electromagnetic Spectrum:

The range of all types of electromagnetic radiation, organized by wavelength or frequency.

$Planck's$ $Law$: $Planck's$ $Law$ states that the intensity of electromagnetic radiation emitted by a blackbody is a function of wavelength and temperature.

$Blackbody$ Radiation: $Blackbody$ radiation refers to the emission of electromagnetic waves from an idealized object that absorbs all incident radiation and re-emits it uniformly across all wavelengths.