Non-visible light refers to electromagnetic radiation that falls outside the visible spectrum, which is the range of light wavelengths that the human eye can perceive (approximately 400-700 nanometers). Here are some examples of non-visible light:
-
Ultraviolet (UV) Light: Ranges from about 10 nm to 400 nm. UV light is responsible for causing sunburn and is used in sterilization and fluorescence.
-
Infrared (IR) Light: Ranges from about 700 nm to 1 mm. Infrared light is associated with heat and is used in applications such as remote controls, thermal imaging, and night vision technologies.
-
Microwaves: Ranges from about 1 mm to 1 meter. Microwaves are used in cooking, telecommunications, and radar technology.
-
Radio Waves: Ranges from about 1 mm to thousands of kilometers. Radio waves are used for communication in broadcasting, cell phones, and various wireless technologies.
-
X-rays: Ranges from about 0.01 nm to 10 nm. X-rays are commonly used in medical imaging to view the inside of the body and in security scanning.
-
Gamma Rays: Ranges from less than 0.01 nm. Gamma rays are produced by radioactive decay and are used in cancer treatment and in astrophysics to study celestial phenomena.
These examples illustrate the various types of non-visible light and their diverse applications across different fields.