The wavelength of infrared (IR) light is longer than the wavelength of ultraviolet (UV) light. In the electromagnetic spectrum, IR light falls between visible light and microwaves, while UV light falls between visible light and X-rays.
The specific ranges for IR and UV light can vary depending on the source, but generally:
Infrared light: It has longer wavelengths than visible light, typically ranging from about 700 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm) or even longer. Infrared light is often divided into three categories:
- Near-infrared (NIR): Approximately 700 nm to 1,400 nm.
- Mid-infrared (MIR): Approximately 1,400 nm to 3,000 nm.
- Far-infrared (FIR): Approximately 3,000 nm to 1 mm.
Ultraviolet light: It has shorter wavelengths than visible light, ranging from about 10 nm to 400 nm. UV light is typically divided into three categories:
- UVA: Approximately 315 nm to 400 nm.
- UVB: Approximately 280 nm to 315 nm.
- UVC: Approximately 100 nm to 280 nm.
It's worth noting that both infrared and ultraviolet light are invisible to the human eye, as they fall outside the range of wavelengths our eyes can detect. However, they play important roles in various applications and have distinct properties and effects on matter.