30+ Amazing Invisible Infrared Rays Facts That You Might Not Know

Visible light up to a certain range can be seen by the human eye, but light will come in many additional colors invisible to the naked eye on Earth.

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of light, including rays invisible to the naked eye. We can't see most of the light in the solar system since it is invisible to us.

The electromagnetic spectrum includes the light that our eyes can see. The visible section of the electromagnetic spectrum contains the colors we see in a rainbow. Each of these hues corresponds to a visible spectrum of light. Radio waves, X-rays, infrared waves, microwaves, ultraviolet rays, and gamma rays are all kinds of light invisible to human vision.

Properties Of Infrared Rays

Infrared rays, also called infrared light, are invisible lights that exist in the electromagnetic radiation above microwaves and beyond the color red, which is the end of the visible range. We can also call it radiant energy.

• Electronic sensors may detect this invisible light, such as those found in night vision goggles and infrared cameras.
• Natural sunlight and fire are two of the most prominent sources of infrared radiation (IR). However, the majority of IR radiation from the sun is absorbed by water vapor in Earth's atmosphere.
• IR radiation is emitted by all objects in the universe.
• Light shiny materials, such as aluminum foil, are poor absorbers and thus good IR reflectors.
• People get exposed to and experience infrared wavelengths daily; although the human eye cannot perceive them, these rays can be detected in thermal cameras as heat.
• Transverse waves make up infrared light and other electromagnetic radiation.
• The origin of infrared radiation is due to a change in electron velocity.
• Infrared radiation can generate heat. These rays have applications in the creation of heat.
• The speed of infrared radiation is 186282.39 mi/s (299,792,458 m/s).
• Infrared wavelengths are above red visible light.
• The frequency of infrared light waves ranges from 430 THz to 300 GHz.
• Infrared waves can be absorbed or reflected, much like visible light radiation, depending upon the type of substance it hits.
• Refraction is a feature of infrared light or radiation.
• Exhibiting heat-inducing properties or thermal radiation is one of the properties of infrared light.

Uses Of Infrared Rays

Check out the different uses of infrared rays;

• Did you know that by studying the effect of infrared radiation on a thermometer, astronomer Sir William Herschel identified a type of invisible radiation in the visible spectrum with lower energy than red light, in 1800? From then on, infrared radiation has been employed in various applications, including industrial, medicinal, military, commercial, and scientific.
• Remote sensing, which is employed in meteorological applications, uses infrared waves radiation extensively.
• This radiation is used as a heat source in the medical and manufacturing industries.
• When there isn't enough visible light available, infrared technology is used in night vision devices.
• Astronomers employ infrared wavelengths to investigate space objects using optical instruments such as digital detectors, lenses, and mirrors.
• The infrared image of this gadget can be obtained using an infrared telescope.
• Thermal imaging science is a method in which a thermal camera collects and generates an image of an item using infrared light emitted from the object.
• Short-range communication between computer peripherals and personal digital assistants also uses infrared data transmission.
• Infrared light is the most commonly used technology in a TV remote control.
• Hand-held infrared cameras are used by firefighters to find hot spots, humans, and animals trapped by forest fires.
• Using infrared waves, optical telescopes can reveal objects in the universe that we cannot see in visible light.
• Thermal or infrared images produced by weather satellites can be used by a qualified analyst to assess cloud heights, warmer clouds, compute land and surface water temperatures, and find ocean surface features.

Dangers Of Infrared Rays

Infrared provides an especially pleasant feeling of warmth. Although the sun emits the majority of infrared radiation, it is also emitted by man-made technologies. We are constantly exposed to IR radiation in the form of heat since IR waves are thermal. But is infrared energy or radiation safe?

• Heated metals, home electrical appliances, molten glass, radiant heaters, incandescent bulbs, welding arcs, and furnaces are all examples of artificial sources of IR radiation.
• Invisible radiation, such as infrared radiation, is safe for humans if the power, distance, and duration are all within acceptable limits.
• There are no risks or harm if you stay far enough away from infrared heaters that emit short waves (such as inexpensive patio heaters). However, if you stand close enough to the radiation source, the radiation can permeate the skin tissue. The duration of exposure to the rays should be within a safe limit.
• Near-infrared wavelengths, which are brief and not hot, are especially harmful to sensitive tissues like skin and eyes.
• Thermal damage to the skin caused by infrared radiation may have major biological consequences.
• Cataracts are the most frequent eye illness linked to near-infrared radiation.
• Even low-level infrared rays absorption can induce redness or bleeding in the eyes, and edema.
• Depending on the wavelength, IR light below a certain limit will penetrate different levels of the cornea to varying degrees.

Fun Facts About Infrared Rays

Did you know that we can block these rays to some extent by using specially formulated flexible films, low electroluminescence glasses, and surface-coated rigid films? An insulated outwear or a woolen blanket are also temporary options to block the rays. However, each has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Let's find out a few more facts about IR waves.

• Longer wavelengths than visible light allow infrared waves to penetrate through dense gas, thick smoke, and dust areas in space with less scattering and absorption.
• Did you know that infrared astronomy is a branch of astronomy that focuses on using infrared (IR) radiation to study space science and analyze celestial objects?
• Even objects that we consider to be extremely cold, such as an ice cube, also produce infrared radiation.
• Did you know that the camera on a cell phone is more sensitive to light than our eyes, so it can see infrared light?