Yes, there is a difference between heat and infrared radiation, although they are related.
Heat refers to the transfer of thermal energy from one object to another due to a difference in temperature. It is a form of energy transfer that occurs when there is a temperature gradient, and it flows from a hotter object to a colder object. Heat can be transferred through conduction (direct contact), convection (through a fluid medium), or radiation (electromagnetic waves).
Infrared (IR) radiation, on the other hand, is a specific range of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than those of visible light but shorter than microwaves. It falls on the electromagnetic spectrum between visible light and radio waves. Infrared radiation is commonly associated with thermal energy and is emitted by objects due to their temperature. All objects above absolute zero temperature emit some amount of infrared radiation.
In simpler terms, heat is the transfer of thermal energy, while infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is associated with thermal energy and can be emitted or absorbed by objects. Infrared radiation is often used to detect and measure the temperature of objects through devices like infrared cameras or thermometers.