How is the infrared (IR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum defined by wavelength?
Answer
Wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves.
Infrared (IR) radiation occupies a specific segment within the broader electromagnetic spectrum. It is characterized by its placement relative to the visible light spectrum that the human eye can perceive. Specifically, infrared radiation consists of electromagnetic waves possessing wavelengths that are physically longer than those associated with visible light. Conversely, infrared waves are shorter in wavelength than the waves categorized as radio waves. This specific spectral positioning means that objects emit IR energy due to their temperature, a phenomenon Herschel first measured.
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