Question map
Which one among the following waves are called waves of heat energy ?
Explanation
Infrared waves are commonly referred to as 'waves of heat energy' or thermal radiation. This is because they are emitted by objects that possess heat, and when these waves strike an object, they cause the molecules to vibrate, increasing the internal energy and temperature of the object [c4][t1]. While all electromagnetic waves carry energy, infrared radiation is specifically associated with the heat budget of the Earth. The Earth absorbs short-wave solar radiation (UV and visible light) and re-radiates it back into space as long-wave infrared radiation, which is essentially heat [c4][c5]. Far-infrared waves, in particular, are experienced daily as the heat felt from sunlight, fire, or warm surfaces [t1][t4]. In contrast, radio waves and microwaves are primarily used for communication and specific heating applications, while ultraviolet waves are higher-energy radiations often filtered by the ozone layer [c1][c2][t1].
Sources
- [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 21: Horizontal Distribution of Temperature > Insolation > p. 282
- [2] https://gml.noaa.gov/outreach/info_activities/pdfs/TBI_electromagnetic_radiation.pdf
- [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 21: Horizontal Distribution of Temperature > 21.5. Heat Budget > p. 293
- [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Structure of the Atmosphere > p. 8
- [5] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 20: Earths Atmosphere > Explanation: > p. 279