Final answer:
Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from 1 mm to 1 m and are used in communications and microwave ovens, while infrared has wavelengths from about 1 µm to 100 µm and is associated with heat radiation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically about the range of wavelengths for different types of electromagnetic radiation. Microwaves refer to electromagnetic waves with wavelengths in the range from 1 mm (millimeter) to 1 m (meter). These are situated between infrared radiation and radio waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and are most commonly known for their use in microwave ovens and short-wave communication.
Infrared radiation, in contrast, has a wavelength range from about 1 micrometer (µm), which is just longer than visible light, to 100 µm or more, and is often associated with heat radiation.