Infrared (IR) radiation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are both types of electromagnetic radiation, but they differ in several key aspects:
- Wavelength:
- Infrared radiation has longer wavelengths than visible light, ranging from about 700 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm).
- Ultraviolet radiation has shorter wavelengths than visible light, ranging from about 10 nm to 400 nm.
- Energy:
- Infrared radiation has less energy per photon because of its longer wavelength.
- Ultraviolet radiation carries more energy per photon due to its shorter wavelength.
- Heat vs. Damage:
- Infrared radiation is primarily associated with heat. It is what we feel as warmth from the sun or from objects like heaters.
- Ultraviolet radiation is more energetic and can cause damage to living tissues, such as sunburns, and is linked to DNA damage in cells.
- Uses:
- Infrared is often used in applications like night vision, thermal imaging, and remote controls.
- Ultraviolet is used for sterilization, detecting fluorescent materials, and in tanning beds, though it can be harmful in large doses.
- Interaction with the Atmosphere:
- Infrared radiation can be absorbed or scattered by the atmosphere, but it’s less affected than UV.
- Ultraviolet radiation is partially absorbed by the ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere, which helps protect life on Earth from excessive UV exposure.