Infra-red

Contents

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Infrared are the third lowest frequency and third longest wavelength electromagnetic waves.

About Infra-red

Properties

Infra-red can cause atoms and molecules to vibrate, heating a material.

Applications

Different frequencies of infra-red have different applications.

Infra-red is used in remote controls and night vision because it is invisible to the human eye but can be transmited through the air without being absorbed.

Infra-red can be used in thermal imaging because objects emit infra-red radiation due to their temperature. The higher the temperature the more infra-red they emit.

Infra-red can be used to cook food because it can cause atoms and molecules to vibrate, heating the food.

Dangers

Infra-red can cause skin burns because it can cause atoms and molecules to vibrate, heating the material.