Question

Mention two applications of infrared radiation.

Answer 1

Hint: Infrared radiation or simply called IR is an electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is higher than that of the visible light. Hence this radiation is invisible to the human eye. Every object on earth emits infrared radiation as heat.

Complete answer:
As mentioned earlier infrared radiation is a radiation of higher wavelength. IR radiations are used now widely in medical sectors IT sectors etc.
One of the most useful applications of Infrared radiation is in sensing and detection. IR radiation is emitted in the form of heat by every object on earth. This can be detected by electronic sensors, such as those found in night vision goggles and infrared cameras.
Infrared radiation is used as a deliberate source of heat. Infrared heating is popular in the industrial manufacturing processes, for example in the forming of plastics, plastic welding, annealing etc. In such applications Infrared heaters replaces convention ovens and contact heating.

Additional Information:
Sun is the most powerful source of infrared radiation. Some thermal radiation comprises infrared in the mid-infrared area, any longer than in daylight. Though infrared radiation is invisible to the human eye we can feel it as heat.
As said earlier IR is a type of electromagnetic radiation, a continuum of frequencies produced when atoms absorb and then release energy. Electromagnetic radiation includes gamma-rays, x-rays, Ultraviolet rays, visible light, microwaves and radio waves. All these radiations together make up the electromagnetic spectrum.

Note:
Infrared radiations have many other applications. In spectroscopy infrared vibrational spectroscopy is used to identify molecules by analyzing their constituent bonds. In meteorology weather satellites equipped with scanning radiometers produce thermal or infrared images. In Astronomy, scientists study objects in the electromagnetic spectrum using optical components including mirrors, lenses and solid state digital detectors.There are even more applications of IR like thermography, hyper spectral imaging, climatology etc.