ultraviolet rays
Infrared radiation is the type of electromagnetic waves absorbed by the Earth's surface and atmosphere, which is then transformed into heat. This process is a key component of the Earth's energy balance, helping to maintain suitable temperatures for life to thrive.
Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic wave that warms the Earth. These waves are emitted by the sun and absorbed by the Earth's surface, leading to an increase in temperature.
Electromagnetic waves do add heat to the medium they travel through, but only when they are absorbed by matter. This is why sunlight heats the Earth. Lower frequency waves (like radio waves) pass through matter more easily without being absorbed, which is why they're used for communication.
As solar radiation passes through Earth's atmosphere, some of it is absorbed by gases, clouds, and particles in the atmosphere. The remainder reaches the Earth's surface, where it is absorbed and transformed into heat energy. This energy is essential for driving Earth's climate system and supporting life on the planet.
When electromagnetic waves hit an object, they can be absorbed, transmitted, reflected, or scattered. The interaction between the waves and the object will depend on the material properties of the object and the frequency of the electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic waves can transfer energy through vacuum by radiation. This process involves the emission of electromagnetic waves from a source, such as the sun, which then travel through space and are absorbed by an object, causing its temperature to rise. This is how heat and light from the sun reach Earth.
The sudden density change from the lower mantle to the outer core causes P-waves (compression or longitudinal waves) to be refracted and S-waves (shear or transverse waves) to be absorbed as the outer core is liquid and so cannot support the propagation of S-waves.
Energy from the Sun is transferred to Earth through electromagnetic waves, primarily in the form of visible light and infrared radiation. These waves travel through the vacuum of space and reach Earth's atmosphere, where they are absorbed and converted into heat energy. This process is crucial for sustaining life on Earth through photosynthesis and regulating the planet's temperature.
Electromagnetic waves do not slow down in a vacuum. However, they can change direction when they encounter different mediums, such as transitioning from air to glass. This change in direction is known as refraction.
When electromagnetic waves encounter matter, they can be absorbed, reflected, transmitted, or refracted. The interaction between the waves and the matter depends on the properties of the material such as its density, composition, and thickness. Absorption can lead to heating of the material, reflection causes the waves to bounce off the surface, transmission allows the waves to pass through the material, and refraction causes the waves to change direction as they pass from one medium to another.
Radio waves aren't absorbed by the atmosphere.
As an electromagnetic wave changes, so does its energy.