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Wavelength: 7.5 x 10 ^ - 7 meters to
1 x 10 ^ - 4 meters.
Discovery:
Sir William Herschel
The discovery of this wave occurred because many early experiments searched
for similarities between infrared energy and visible light. These were finally
revealed when, in 1847, Armand Hipolyte, Luis Pizeau and Jean B. Foucault of
France showed that infrared radiation produced interference patterns similar to
those of visible light.
Man-Made Process Used to Make Infrared:
Tungsten-filament lamps produce radiant heat instead of visible light. The
filament, which is sealed in a gas filled bulb or quartz tube is heated by an
electric and operated at a temperature of 4000 degrees F. to produce infrared
rays.
One use of infrared that we see
every day is a TV remote control .
Uses:
Medicine:
Doctors use infrared lamps to treat skin
diseases and relieve the pain of sore muscles. In these treatments, the
infrared rays pass through the patient's skin and produce heat.
Science:
Scientific advances pertaining to infrared
have allowed buildings to keep cool even in the summer. Gold transparent films
in the windows of large office buildings reflect infrared and help to keep
temperatures cool.
Consumer Goods:
Photographers use film that is sensitive to
infrared rays to take pictures in places where there is no visible light.
Burglar alarms also use infrared.
Industry
Infrared is used extensively in specially-designed ovens for drying painted
and enameled surfaces, leather, metals, papers and textiles.
Dangers:
Although infrared is important, it
also has some dangers associated with it. The thin gold films on space crafts
reflect infrared rays from the sun which can harm both people and the equipment
on the craft.
Protection:
In order to
protect ourselves and the environment from these dangers, precautions must be
taken such as wearing sunglasses and sun block to block the infrared rays from
our bodies.
Infrared from Outer Space
The celestial bodies that emit infrared rays are the sun and stars that are
in the making, and stars that are dying. These celestial bodies emit infrared
rays because of their high temperatures and great heat. Half the sun's rays are
infrared rays.
Other Interesting Facts about
Infrared:
A recent magazine article talked about how
infrared radiation is used to obtain pictures of distant objects that are
unclear due to atmospheric haze. The detection of infrared radiation is used by
astronomers to observe stars that are invisible in ordinary light or emit
radiation.
Infra means below; Infrared rays have a lower frequency other than red
rays. Infrared devices were used during WW2 and enabled sharpshooters to see
their targets in total darkness. Balometers are used to detect infrared.
Balometers measure small amounts of heat produced by types of radiant energy,
chiefly infrared rays. Infrared can be seen if exposed to compressed air.
Names of the Contributors:
MaryJo Agosta
Enid Viana
Gina Reda
Alex Bouziotas
Jason Kober
Francis Lengsiriwat.
Joe Loiacono
Jay Kim
Alex Martinez
Eunice Parada
Nancy Demetropolis
Jason Weiss
Saro Varjabedian
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