If humans could see in the infrared spectrum, their perception of the world would be quite different compared to our normal vision. Infrared light has longer wavelengths than visible light, and it is primarily associated with the detection of heat.
Here are some characteristics of how humans might look if they could see in the infrared spectrum:
Invisible Light: Infrared light is outside the range of visible light, so the world as we see it would still remain visible to us. However, certain objects and sources emitting infrared radiation would become visible, which are currently invisible to our eyes.
Heat Vision: Infrared vision would allow us to perceive temperature variations in the environment. Hotter objects would appear brighter, while colder objects would appear darker. This ability could be particularly useful for detecting living organisms or sources of heat, even in darkness.
Changes in Color Perception: Since our current perception of color is based on the visible light spectrum, it is difficult to predict exactly how color perception would change with the addition of infrared vision. However, it's likely that some colors, especially those associated with heat, might appear differently or have additional variations in the infrared spectrum.
Transparency: Some materials that are opaque to visible light may be transparent or partially transparent in the infrared spectrum. For example, certain types of plastics or fabrics that block visible light may allow infrared light to pass through. This could alter our perception of objects and their textures.
It's important to note that the human visual system is not naturally equipped to perceive infrared light. To see in the infrared spectrum, humans would require significant biological modifications, such as the development of specialized photoreceptor cells or artificial enhancements like infrared goggles or implants.