infraroodbron

An infraroodbron, or infrared source, is any object that emits infrared radiation. This radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light, typically ranging from 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter. Infrared radiation is often perceived as heat.

There are various types of infraroodbronnen. Natural sources include the sun and all warm objects, including living beings, due to their thermal energy. Man-made infraroodbronnen are diverse. Simple examples include incandescent light bulbs, where the filament heats up and emits infrared light along with visible light. Heating elements in ovens, toasters, and electric heaters are designed to generate significant amounts of infrared radiation for cooking and warming. Specialized infrared lamps are used in applications like heat therapy, drying processes, and scientific research. Lasers can also be designed to emit in the infrared spectrum.

The intensity and spectral distribution of the emitted infrared radiation depend on the temperature and material properties of the source. According to Planck's law, hotter objects emit more intense radiation and at shorter wavelengths within the infrared range. The study and application of infrared radiation are central to fields like thermography, spectroscopy, and remote sensing.