Definition of Infrared Rays

Suppose we are in the living room at home and we have the remote control distance of the TV in hand. If we point to the screen, the channel change is produced by the effect of infrared rays. This is caused by the controller emitting light waves, but this light is beyond the spectrum of light that we can see.

Infrared light was discovered in the early 19th century and is a new region of the electromagnetic spectrum. This region is made up of waves with lengths from 760 nanometers to one million nanometers or one millimeter. Although we cannot see infrared light, it is possible to feel it as heat. Only with some instruments is it possible to detect infrared waves (for example, night-time infrared cameras).

The Energy Infrared can show objects in space that cannot be seen with optical telescopes.

The sun emits ultraviolet radiation and a small portion of infrared light, all of which are known as shortwave radiation. When radiation reaches Earth, some is reflected outward by clouds and some is absorbed by the atmosphere. The heat generated by this absorption is emitted as infrared wave radiation radiated out of space. Solar radiation that passes through the atmosphere is reflected by snow, ice or other surfaces or is absorbed by the

land surface. Thus, the heat that is received is emitted into the atmosphere as long-wave infrared radiation and only a small part of this radiation goes out into outer space.

The knowledge of these rays in nature has made it possible to develop a technology in different areas, known as infrared technology.

Practical applications

Some systems of safety used by the police use infrared rays. The same is true in the military field or in relation to fire fighting. In recent years, architects are creating smart buildings and infrared technology allows detecting energy losses and, therefore, optimizing their consumption.

In the astronomy, it is possible to discover new aspects of the universe and certain electronic systems are tested with infrared technology.

Medicine is the area where there are more practical applications in relation to this energy. Infrared rays are used as a light therapy that is very effective in fighting acne or arthritis. In some ailments, the injured body part releases nitric oxide when it is hit by the rays, which leads to relaxation of the blood vessels and improved circulation. This mechanism is very useful in very diverse injuries (for example, those related to sport) and enables a faster and more efficient recovery of the affected tissues.

Infrared Ray Topics