Infrared

• Infrared radiation is emitted from all object that have thermal energy.
• Infrared radiation can be used in cameras, to see in the dark and to spot living organisms. They can also be used to cook food, but it doesn't penetrate the food. Also, can be used in electric heaters.
• Infrared radiation is only harmful in high quantities.
• If more radiation is emitted than is absorbed then the object is losing energy and will cool down.
• If more radiaition is absorbed than emitted then the object will warm up.
• The hotter an object is then more infrared radiation is emitted.
• A body at a constant temperature is still receiving infrared radiation, but it is at the same rate that tit is emitting it.
• Earths infrared radiation;

  • Earth is constantly absorbing infrared radiation from the sun and is also emitting it.
  • During the day more infrared radiation is being absorbed so temperature increases.
  • During the night less infrared radiation is being absorbed so temperature decreases.
  • Overall, some parts are always in the sun and others aren't so the temperature of the earth stays constant.
  • Some infrared radiation is reflected by the atmosphere back into space, while some can also pass through it and be re-emitted.