INFRARED WAVES Infrared waves fall between microwaves and visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum.

Infrared Waves All objects that have a temperature emit infrared radiation that can be detected. Only objects at absolute zero will not emit infrared radiation. Absolute zero is -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit.

Infrared Waves Objects that are cooler emit less infrared radiation than objects that are warmer Even ice cubes put out a certain amount of heat

Infrared Waves How do you know that the Sun emits infrared waves?

Infrared Waves Infrared radiation can be “seen” using thermal detectors that show brighter colors for more intense heat

Infrared Waves Different colors represent different temperatures. Red colors are “hotter” and blues and greens are “cooler”

Infrared Waves

Infrared Waves Unlike light waves, infrared waves can travel through most things such as smoke, fog, and plastic. IT CANNOT TRAVEL THROUGH GLASS!

Using Infrared Waves There are multiple uses of infrared technology!

Fire Fighting, Search & Rescue Firefighters use infrared cameras to locate people and animals in dense smoke. They can also use it to locate the center of the fire and “see” fires hidden in walls

Fire Fighting Aerial photographs of large wildfires can help firefighters distinguish between areas of hot active fires and smoldering areas.

Search & Rescue Search and rescue teams can detect missing people in darkness, dense undergrowth, and even buried under snow. They can do aerial searches and ground searches using infrared technology.

Law Enforcement Law enforcement can use infrared technology to track suspects, enforce national borders, detect illegal crops, solve murders, and detect poaching rings.

Law Enforcement Infrared cameras are used to track criminals in moving vehicles in dark or foggy conditions. Increased speed increases friction which raises temperature

Law Enforcement In New York City, police dogs are outfitted with infrared cameras to go after criminals that might be hiding.

Apache, a two-year-old German shepherd, tracked the suspect down a pitch-black passageway in the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall subway station the other day, helped by the oldest of canine technology, his nose, and bearing the newest, an infrared camera harnessed to his back. The camera transmitted images in real time to one of Apache’s trainers, Officer Richard Geraci, who stood a safe distance away as he followed the dog’s movements on a small monitor strapped to his wrist like an oversize watch.

Military Military uses of infrared technology include night vision goggles, heat-seeking missiles, land mine detection, and signs of genocide

Military An estimated 85 million land mines are buried around the globe. They are no longer made of metal and cannot be detected using metal detectors. Now we use infrared technology.

Military Soil that has been recently disturbed will appear different than packed soil. Satellites can detect mass grave areas using infrared.

Medicine Doctors can use infrared imaging to detect medical conditions such as breast cancer, deep burns, and deep bruises without inflicting pain.

Medicine Satellite images of tropical forest areas detect thick populations of mosquitoes which can then be sprayed. Mosquitoes carry malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, etc.

Veterinarians Vets use infrared the same way human doctors do. They can locate injured areas without causing pain. It also helps since the patient can’t exactly tell you what hurts!

Animals We also study the fur, skin, and flubber on animals for ideas on keeping warm/ cool in different environmental conditions.

Geology We use infrared technology to detect volcanic eruptions and geysers and to locate minerals such as silver and gold

Environmental Monitoring Infrared sensors on satellites detect oil and chemical spills, buried waste, pollution, and deforestation.

Meteorology/ Oceanography Infrared satellite imaging tracks cloud cover and temperatures. It is used to track hurricanes, monitor ocean temperatures and currents, and track super cell storms such as tornado outbreaks.

Animal Adaptation Vipers, pythons and boas have holes on their faces called pit organs, which contain a membrane that can detect infrared radiation from warm bodies up to one meter away. At night, the pit organs allow snakes to 'see' an image of their predator or prey — as an infrared camera does — giving them a unique extra sense.

Palm Viper – Central America

Matilda’s Horned Viper - Tanzania

Mangshan Pit Viper – China

Cobra - Egypt

Eastern Diamondback – U. S.