Infrared vs. Microwave — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 1, 2024
Infrared radiation is used for heating and remote controls, involving longer wavelengths than visible light; microwaves, used in radar and cooking, have longer wavelengths and penetrate materials to heat them.
Difference Between Infrared and Microwave
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Infrared (IR) radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than those of visible light but shorter than those of microwaves. It is commonly used for heating, in thermal imaging, and as a medium in remote control systems. On the other hand, microwaves are electromagnetic waves with longer wavelengths than infrared, typically used in microwave ovens for cooking and in radar technology for detection and navigation.
While infrared radiation directly heats the surface of materials by exciting molecular vibrations, microwaves penetrate deeper into materials, causing water molecules to vibrate and produce heat from within. This difference makes microwaves more effective for cooking food quickly and evenly, whereas infrared is better suited for heating the exterior of objects and for applications like night vision and heat sensing.
Infrared technology is widely utilized in consumer electronics, particularly in remote controls where IR LEDs emit signals to be received by electronic devices. Conversely, microwaves play a crucial role in communications, including WiFi and mobile phone signals, showcasing their ability to transmit data over long distances without requiring line of sight.
The safety levels of infrared and microwave radiation also differ. Infrared radiation, encountered daily as part of natural sunlight, is generally harmless in low doses but can cause skin burns in high concentrations. Microwaves, while also non-ionizing, can pose greater risks due to their deeper penetration into biological tissues, potentially causing thermal injuries if not properly shielded.
The scientific and medical applications of these radiations vary. Infrared spectroscopy is a valuable tool in chemistry for identifying substances, while microwave radiation is used in medical therapies and can promote the healing of certain injuries by stimulating blood flow and reducing pain.
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Comparison Chart
Wavelength Range
Longer than visible light, shorter than microwaves
Longer than infrared
Common Uses
Heating, remote controls, thermal imaging
Cooking, radar, telecommunications
Penetration
Heats surfaces, shallow penetration
Penetrates materials to heat from within
Safety
Generally safe, can cause burns in high doses
Requires shielding to prevent tissue damage
Scientific Applications
Used in spectroscopy and night vision
Used in medical therapies and data transmission
Compare with Definitions
Infrared
Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light.
Infrared cameras are essential for night vision.
Microwave
Electromagnetic wave used primarily in cooking and radar.
The microwave oven quickly reheats leftovers.
Infrared
Applied in physical therapy for muscle relaxation.
Infrared lamps are used to treat muscle pain.
Microwave
Can be harnessed for therapeutic medical treatments.
Microwave therapy is used for certain types of pain relief.
Infrared
Used for transmitting signals in remote controls.
The TV was operated via an infrared remote.
Microwave
Penetrates food, causing water molecules to vibrate and heat up.
Microwaves uniformly cook food from the inside out.
Infrared
Captured by special cameras for thermal imaging.
Firefighters use infrared cameras to see through smoke.
Microwave
Has applications in telecommunications.
Microwave transmission towers facilitate mobile phone signals.
Infrared
Radiates heat effectively, used in heaters.
Infrared heaters are popular for their efficiency.
Microwave
Utilized in scientific research and weather radar.
Microwave technology is crucial for studying atmospheric science.
Infrared
Infrared (IR), sometimes called infrared light, is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than those of visible light. It is therefore invisible to the human eye.
Microwave
Microwave is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from about one meter to one millimeter corresponding to frequencies between 300 MHz and 300 GHz respectively. Different sources define different frequency ranges as microwaves; the above broad definition includes both UHF and EHF (millimeter wave) bands.
Infrared
Of or relating to electromagnetic radiation between microwaves and red visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum, having frequencies between 300 gigahertz and 400 terahertz and wavelengths between 1 millimeter and 750 nanometers.
Microwave
An electromagnetic wave with a wavelength in the range 0.001–0.3 m, shorter than that of a normal radio wave but longer than those of infrared radiation. Microwaves are used in radar, in communications, and for heating in microwave ovens and in various industrial processes
Microwave radiation
Infrared
Generating, using, or sensitive to infrared radiation.
Microwave
Cook (food) in a microwave oven
He microwaved some steak out of the freezer
Infrared
Infrared light or the infrared part of the spectrum.
Microwave
Relating to or being electromagnetic radiation between radio waves and infrared waves in the electromagnetic spectrum, having frequencies between 300 megahertz and 300 gigahertz and wavelengths between 1 meter and 1 millimeter.
Infrared
(uncountable) The electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation, having a wavelength between 700 nm and 1 mm.
Electromagnetic radiation
Microwave
A wave of microwave radiation.
Infrared
(countable) A specific wavelength in this range.
Microwave
A microwave oven.
Infrared
(countable) A device that emits infrared radiation.
Microwave
To cook or heat (food) in a microwave oven.
Infrared
Having a wavelength in the infrared spectrum.
Microwave
An electromagnetic wave with wavelength between that of infrared light and radio waves.
Radio band
Infrared
Lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end; - said of rays having a longer wavelength (and thus less refrangible) than the extreme red rays, specifically those electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of between 700 nanometers and 1 millimeter.
Microwave
Ellipsis of microwave oven
Just put it in the microwave for 30 seconds and it's ready to eat.
Infrared
Relating to, using, or producing infrared radiation.
Microwave
(transitive) To cook (something) in a microwave oven.
Infrared
Affected by infrared radiation; as, infrared detector; infrared film.
Microwave
To provide minimal preparation for implementation, deeming full or extensive preparation as unnecessary.
Infrared
The infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum; electromagnetic wave frequencies below the visible range;
They could sense radiation in the infrared
Microwave
A short electromagnetic wave (longer than infrared but shorter than radio waves); used for radar and microwave ovens and for transmitting telephone, facsimile, video and data
Infrared
Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves
Microwave
Kitchen appliance that cooks food by passing an electromagnetic wave through it; heat is produced by the absorption of microwave energy by the water molecules in the food
Infrared
Having or employing wavelengths longer than light but shorter than radio waves; lying outside the visible spectrum at its red end;
Infrared radiation
Infrared photography
Microwave
Cook or heat in a microwave oven;
You can microwave the left-overs
Common Curiosities
How do infrared and microwaves interact with materials?
Infrared heats surfaces, while microwaves penetrate and heat internally.
What role do microwaves play in communications?
They are essential for long-distance data transmission.
What are the common uses of infrared in everyday life?
Remote controls, heaters, and security systems use infrared.
How do microwaves cook food?
They cause water molecules in food to vibrate, producing heat.
What are some safety concerns with microwave radiation?
Microwave radiation can cause internal heating and needs shielding.
What is the basic difference in the wavelength of infrared and microwaves?
Infrared has shorter wavelengths compared to microwaves.
Can infrared be seen by the human eye?
No, infrared is beyond the visible spectrum and cannot be seen.
How does microwave radiation differ from infrared in terms of data transmission?
Microwaves are used for broader communications, including WiFi.
Is infrared used in medical applications?
Yes, especially in therapeutic heating and pain relief.
What role do microwaves play in medical?
Microwaves can be harnessed for therapeutic medical treatments.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
