what are infrared waves?

Answer 1

Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than that of visible light, but shorter than that of microwaves. Infrared radiation has wavelengths between about 750 nm and 1 mm, spanning five orders of magnitude. What is Infrared Radiation?

The light we see with our eyes is really a very small portion of what is called the "Electromagnetic Spectrum." The Electromagnetic Spectrum includes all types of radiation - from the X-rays used at hospitals, to radio waves used for communication, and even the microwaves you cook food with.

Radiation in the Electromagnetic Spectrum is often categorized by wavelength. Short wavelength radiation is of the highest energy and can be very dangerous - Gamma, X-rays and ultraviolet are examples of short wavelength radiation. Longer wavelength radiation is of lower energy and is usually less harmful - examples include radio, microwaves and infrared. A rainbow shows the optical (visible) part of the Electromagnetic Spectrum and infrared (if you could see it) would be located just beyond the red side of the rainbow.

Answer 2

Heat

Infrared waves are on the spectrum right below the visible light waves. They are used in heat lamps to generate heat and an infrared imager sees light in this spectrum. This kind of light is determined by the heat of the object. In cool plants the light looks green or blue, in warm objects like people the light looks red. Normally we can't see infrared radiation, but you can feel the radiation off of a normal light bulb; by the heat radiated from it.

Answer 3

infrared waves are just like the visible light waves that you can see, but at a different frequency of light. the rays behave very similar to visible light, but our eyes just cant detect them. to fully explain it, you'd need to understand the electromagnetic spectrum, which isnt too difficult, but more work than im willing to do right now :-p

here's a pic instead:
http://links.baruch.sc.edu/scael/personals/pjpb/lecture/spectrum.gif

and wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum

Answer 4

These are the electromagnetic spectrum wavelengths that are longer than the visible wavelengths but shorter than millimeter wavelengths. Typically, the infrared lies between 1 micrometer and 25 or so micrometers in wavelength. Visible light lies bewtween 0.4 and 0.9 micrometers.