INFRARED WAVES

HOW THE WAVE IS CREATED

• Objects that emit heat
• Measured in micrometers
• More heat=higher frequency

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POSSIBLE DANGERS

• High concentrations of this wave could lead to burns
• Exposure to eyes may cause cornea and retina damage.

Wavelength is 10^-4 m to 10^-5 m.
This is also the size of a cell.

The frequency range is .003 Hz to 4 x 10^14 Hz

FUN FACTS

• Snakes can sense warm-blooded animals with infrared sensory pits.
• In 1986, a satellite called GOES 6 took a picture of Earth in infrared to determine which parts were clouds and which parts were the ocean.
• Infrared Light can travel through thick smoke, dust, or fog, and even some materials.

HOW IS INFRARED LIGHT USED IN THE MEDICAL FIELD?

• Thermographic infrared cameras that measure body tempurature.
• Detect fevers.
• Finds cancer.
• Finds peripheral vascular disorders

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