What in the world is infrared radiation

Infrared radiation is heat that travels from one place to another

in the form of electromagnetic waves.

It's called "infrared" because its wavelength is just past the

longest visible light ... the next category with wavelengths

longer than red light.

Infrared radiation is how heat gets here from the sun, and how

you feel the heat from a fireplace or a campfire when you stand

20 feet away from them. When that happens, your front gets

toasty while your back stays cold, so you know it's not a matter

of any warm air around you that's warming you. It's the infrared

electromagnetic radiation direct from the fire to your skin.