infrapunasädet

Infrapunasäde, also known as infrared radiation, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that lies beyond the visible light spectrum. It is characterized by wavelengths longer than visible light and shorter than microwaves. The term "infrared" literally means "below red," referring to its position in the electromagnetic spectrum, with red light being the longest visible wavelength.

Infrared radiation is invisible to the human eye but can be perceived as heat. All objects with a temperature above absolute zero emit infrared radiation. The intensity and wavelength distribution of this radiation are dependent on the object's temperature. For instance, a warm object emits more infrared radiation than a cooler one, and hotter objects emit radiation at shorter infrared wavelengths.

Common sources of infrared radiation include the sun, heat lamps, fire, and the human body. It plays a significant role in various natural phenomena, such as heat transfer and regulating Earth's temperature.

In technological applications, infrared radiation is used in a wide range of fields. Remote controls for televisions and other electronic devices utilize infrared LEDs to transmit signals. Thermal imaging cameras, used for night vision, medical diagnostics, and industrial inspections, detect infrared radiation emitted by objects to create images based on temperature differences. Infrared heaters provide warmth in homes and industrial settings. Furthermore, infrared spectroscopy is a valuable analytical technique in chemistry and materials science for identifying and characterizing substances.