How is Infrared Used in Physics?

Infrared rays are electromagnetic (EM) radiations whose wavelength and frequency lie between 780 nm -1 mm (106 nm) and 300 GHz-400 THz. It means that the infrared rays lie in between visible rays and microwave rays in an EM spectrum. As these rays lie beyond the visible region, they are invisible to human eyes. These are emergent from heated or thermal radiation. Below, we have discussed the primary uses of infrared rays, the components of infrared, and why infrared is important in physics.

Primary Uses of Infrared Rays

A really wide range of purposes is fulfilled only with infrared radiations. Some of the very basic applications with which everyone might be familiar are:

• If we talk about the primary uses of infrared rays, they are used in thermal imaging cameras. These can easily detect the heat patterns over human and animal bodies and thus are very beneficial for security purposes.
• The rays meant to send signals towards an electronic device like DVD, television, or projectors are also infrared.
• Infrared rays send sound signals to devices for much better clarity.
• As infrared rays lie very well past visible regions, it helps observe phenomena that are not visible to naked eyes.
• These rays are used for spatial or astronomical photography. The heat signatures of celestial bodies introduce us to the new bounds of the universe.
• They are used for medical purposes like heat therapy and sauna baths.
• Infrared rays are used for skincare, i.e., treating skin problems, removing blackheads, and curing other kinds of skin injuries.
• Infrared rays act as a sort of pain reliever and help reduce the pressure on blood vessels over a specific area.

Why is Infrared Important in Physics?

Just like any other field of science, infrared rays provide an outstanding contribution in the field of physics. And some of those significant contributions are as follows:

• These rays help in identifying the thermal applications of electric apparatus.
• These radiations are used for wireless communication or the transmission of sound signals over large distances.
• These radiations are used in spectroscopy to identify the properties of optical instruments and other sets of apparatus.
• They help obtain a clear spectrum of light over various electromagnetic radiation spectrums. 
• They help study compact structures like meteorites and compounds of very significant existence.
• Infrared rays help study distant spatial bodies like stars, meteorites, and planets.
• Infrared rays help in studying the process of fossilisation and other studies of things that originated from the distant past.

Components of Infrared Rays

The infrared rays can be classified into the following components:

• Near-infrared
• Shortwave
• Mediumwave
• Longwave
• Far wavelength infrared

Near-infrared rays:– The part of infrared rays that is relatively adjacent to the visible region of the rays is known as the near-infrared ray region. The wavelength of these radiations lies between 800-2500 nm. And the frequency of these rays is 215-400 THz.

As the near-infrared region lies close to the visible spectrum of light, it helps get some good pictures of environmental phenomena.

Shortwave infrared rays:– Short infrared rays are the rays that lie within the band of the electromagnetic spectrum of EM waves. These rays lie close to the red region of the visible rays. The wavelength for these rays is 1100-3000 nm. And the frequency of such waves happens to be about 100-215 THz. 

These infrared rays are beneficial in studying the optical field of physics. And it also carries a great significance in the agricultural field.

Medium wave infrared rays:– These are the infrared rays that exist between the short and long wave infrared rays. The wavelength of such radiation is about 3000-5000 nm. The frequency of medium wave infrared rays is 37-100 THz.

These radiations carry significant importance in the chemical and petroleum industries. These play a very crucial role in the identification of gases.

Longwave infrared rays:– These are the infrared rays that lie at the very end of the infrared spectrum region. The wavelength of such waves is 7000-11000 nm. The frequency of these waves lies between 20-37 THz. 

The very significance of infrared rays is seen through these long-wave infrared rays. Using heat or thermal signatures, these waves greatly help military purposes.

Far wave infrared rays:– These are the infrared rays that lie at the very edge of infrared rays adjacent to the microwave spectrum region. The wavelength of such rays lies between 3000 nm -1 mm (106 nm). The frequency of these waves is 0.3-20 THz. 

Most of the radiation used for medical purposes happens to be far wave infrared rays. 

Conclusion

The infrared rays fulfil a wide range of purposes in the field of physics. From the study of compact structures and planets to medical purposes, from skincare to communication, and from observation to precise studies, this has been possible only because of infrared rays.