Infared waves?

Question

How do infared waves work and what are some examples of things that use them.

Answer 1

Infrared rays are caused by accelerating charges..same as all EM (Electromagnetic) waves. The thing is that we as humans can only detect a very small range of the EM waves with our eyes. The rest are invisible to us. The infared waves are a bit to low in energy for our eyes to detect. It turns out that heat energy can be seen as infared light. For example ...something is so hot that it is glowing white...(Which shows that heat does have an effect on EM wave production). When it starts to cool it turns bright red, then dimmer and dimmer to pretty soon...you will not see it glow. The cool thing is that the glow is still there. It just that the energy has gone below the visible light range and moved into the infared range.

So if i where to put an infared detecter on you..you be glowing with infared radiation. Even an Icecube would be emitting them..just not at the energy that your body emits them. Hope that helped