Question

Part A. When you stand in front of an open fire, you can sense light waves with your eyes. You sense another type of electromagnetic radiation as heat. What is this other type of radiation?

Part B. How is this other type of radiation different from light waves?

a) Part A: Ultraviolet radiation; Part B: It has a longer wavelength.

b) Part A: Infrared radiation; Part B: It has a shorter wavelength.

c) Part A: Microwaves; Part B: It has a higher frequency.

d) Part A: X-rays; Part B: It has a lower frequency.

Answer 1

The radiation sensed as heat in front of a fire is infrared radiation, which has longer wavelengths and lower frequencies than visible light, making it typically less dangerous and useful for certain therapeutic applications.

Step-by-step explanation:

Part A: When standing in front of an open fire, the other type of electromagnetic radiation you can sense as heat is infrared radiation.

Part B: Infrared radiation is different from visible light waves in that it has a longer wavelength and a lower frequency. This places infrared radiation just below the visible spectrum on the electromagnetic spectrum. Visible light waves have shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies compared to infrared rays.

Part C: In terms of energy, based on longer wavelengths and lower frequencies, infrared radiation generally carries less energy than visible light, which makes it less dangerous in terms of potential damage to biological tissue, such as DNA. However, excessive exposure to infrared radiation can cause thermal injuries. Its therapeutic uses include promoting blood circulation and muscle relaxation, taking advantage of its moderate heating effects.