Why are infrared waves called heat waves?

Answer 1

-- They can't be called radio waves or microwaves, because no radio receiver

designed by man can detect them.

-- They can't be called X-rays, because they don't fog X-ray film.

-- They can't be called visible light waves, because nobody can see them.

-- They can't be called gamma rays, because they're not emitted in nuclear decay.

-- They can't be called ultraviolet waves, because their frequency is lower than

the frequency of visible light.

-- In many 19th Century Physics laboratories where infrared waves were being

studied, it was observed that the presence of infrared waves was often correlated

with a warm sensation on the surface of the human body. After correcting for all

other possible causes, such as wet pants and female post-doc lab assistants, it

was concluded that the warmth arose from the waves themselves, and they were

dubbed "heat", in recognition of the reaction they were able to bring about.

Answer 2

Infra can mean "Sub" or "below."

Picture a rainbow, the region just below RED, that you cannot see, is Infrared--"below the red."

Likewise, Ultra means "super" or "above." Picture that same rainbow, the area above the purple/violet that you cannot see is Ultraviolet, "above the purple."

Answer 3

Not much, they are just the part of the electromagnetic spectrum between microwaves and visible light.

Answer 4

Infrared radiation is "radiant heat".