Question

Why do firemen use infrared cameras to look into smoke filled buildings?

1) They can see if there is anything radioactive in the room.
2) They can tell if the smoke is toxic.
3) The smoke itself gives off a lot of infrared light.
4) D) They can see through the smoke to look for people inside the room.
5) They can avoid all the broken glass because glass is bright in infrared light.

Answer 1

Firefighters use infrared cameras to see through smoke in buildings and locate people or sources of fire, as infrared radiation penetrates smoke more effectively than visible light and carries most of the heat signature from a fire.

The correct option is 2.

Step-by-step explanation:

Firefighters use infrared cameras to look into smoke-filled buildings primarily to see through the smoke and look for people inside the room. The reason infrared cameras are effective for this purpose is because infrared radiation can penetrate smoke better than visible light can.

Most of the heat transfer from a fire is through infrared radiation. Since infrared wavelengths are not scattered by smoke as much as visible light is, these cameras enable firefighters to detect the heat signatures of people or other sources of heat, even through thick smoke.

Additionally, these cameras are useful because they can detect the radiant heat transfer and infrared emissions from fires and heated objects, making it easier for firefighters to navigate and locate the sources of a fire or trapped occupants.

The correct option is 2.