Infrared RadiationA Part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Infrared Radiation of the human body.

Presentation by JJ Pavao.

• Infrared Radiation on the Electromagnetic Spectrum

What is Infrared(IR) Radiation?

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• Figure 1; The scale represents the heat in the area. White being the hottest, blue being the coldest.

Infrared radiation is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is an invisible light source that, on the spectrum, comes after microwaves, and comes before visible light. Infrared radiation is broke up into three parts; near, mid, and far-infrared. Near-infrared refers to the infrared radiation that is closest to visible light. Far-infrared refers to the infrared radiation closest to microwaves. Mid-infrared is between those two. As shown in figure 1, the main source of infrared radiation is through temperature or thermal radiation. The more heat there, the more movement the atoms and molecules have, and the more infrared radiation is produced.

Wavelength of Infrared RadiationInfrared Radiation is found after microwaves, and before visible light on the Electromagnetic Spectrum. The wavelength of IR [Starting at Far-Infrared to Near-Infrared] ranges from 750nm (Nanometers) to 1mm. (Millimeters) The frequency of IR [Starting at Far-Infrared to Near-Infrared] ranges from 405THz (Terahertz) to 300GHz. (Gigahertz) The energy of IR [Starting at Near-Infrared to Far-Infrared] ranges from 1.24meV (Mill electron volts) to 1.7eV. (Electron volts)

• The Infrared region on the Electromagnetic Spectrum, showing locations of Near-Infrared, Mid-Infrared, and Far-Infrared.

• Infrared Radiation on the Electromagnetic Spectrum.

Environmental Effects of IR Radiation

One type of environmental effects for IR radiation is one that is somewhat widely known; the Greenhouse effect. The Greenhouse effect is caused by gases such as water vapor in the atmosphere absorbing IR radiation. The IR comes from material’s that have been heated up by the sun rays. Absorption of IR heats the atmosphere to the temperatures we experience. Objects, the surface, and bodies of water are heated by the visible light of the Sun. These aspects emit IR radiation and gases like water vapor absorb them. Producing heat. This is the Greenhouse effect.

• A picture giving an example of how the Greenhouse effect works. (Very well rays and Sun in the photo.)

Dangers of Infrared RadiationThe dangers of Infrared Radiation are not really considered “dangers,” but “warnings.” As the “dangers” are not extremely serious. But, they still can cause harm. Prolonged exposure to high levels of IR will result in burns and overheating. Sun burns are apart of these types of burns. There are laser pointers that use IR Radiation. Very powerful IR laser pointers can cause damage to the eye. Also, over years of up close exposure of high levels of IR radiation, increased incidences of eye cataracts can occur.

• Two very powerful IR laser pointers. These are the two types of laser pointers that can cause some damage to the human eye.

Pieces of Technology Using IRInfrared radiation is used for many pieces of technology. For both military and civilian devices. For the military devices; target acquisition, night vision, homing and tracking, and surveillance are the most used devices that use infrared technology. Thermal efficiency analysis, short-ranged wireless communication, remote temperature sensing, weather forecasting and spectroscopy are some of the devices for civilian/non military use. Some pieces of IR technology are used for research and development work. Infrared Telescopes are a good example for this.

• A diagram of an infrared telescope and how it functions and what it’s made up of.

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