What is IR?

Have you ever heard of something called IR? IR stands for “infrared,” and it’s a special kind of light that we can’t see with our eyes. Even though we can’t see it, infrared light is all around us and has many cool uses. It’s like a secret helper that makes things work in ways we might not even notice!

Infrared light is a part of the light spectrum, which includes all the different types of light, like the colors of a rainbow. Unlike the colors we see, infrared light is invisible, but we can feel it as heat. For example, when you feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, you’re feeling infrared light. It’s also used in remote controls for TVs. When you press a button on the remote, it sends an infrared signal to the TV, telling it what to do.

Infrared is also used by scientists and doctors. Special cameras can see infrared light, helping firefighters find people in smoke or helping doctors see inside our bodies without needing to make a cut. Isn’t it amazing how something invisible can do so much? So, next time you feel the warmth of the sun or change the channel with a remote, remember that IR is working its magic!