Book 13, Question 107
What Is Infrared Light, and Why Can We Feel It but Not See It?
Infrared light has waves a little longer than red light, so our eyes cannot see it! But warm things give it off, and we feel it as heat. You give off infrared light too!
More fun facts
- Infrared light has wavelengths a bit longer than red light.
- Our eyes cannot see infrared, but we can feel it as heat.
- Night vision goggles and infrared cameras let us see infrared.
- Infrared can pass through clouds of gas and dust in space better than visible light.
- Scientists have made contact lenses that let people sense infrared light, even with their eyes closed.
Sources: NASA Science, Science News Explores, Smithsonian Magazine
Questions kids ask
Why is it called infrared?
Its wavelengths are a bit longer than the red light we can see.