Hot! Hot! Hot! A Look into Infrared Waves

Most of us would agree that we enjoy the luxuries of present day life, though without understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum we would be much less advanced. Knowing about radio waves allows us to have radios and televisions. Without those two huge forms of communication and entertainment who knows where we would be. Food would still be cooking on solely on the stove top and oven without the knowledge of microwaves. Understanding ultraviolet rays can prevent us to not get sun burned by using ultraviolet protection lotion- sun screen. The list can go on and on. Though the section that has the most objects on Earth that emit its radiation is the infrared section, which almost every object on Earth emits these rays.

Have you ever wondered how military units can see in the dark? The answer is simple: they are using technology that shows the infrared section of the electromagnetic spectrum. This section of the electromagnetic spectrum has a frequency of 300 GHz to 400 THz and a wavelength of 1 micrometer to 1,000 micrometers- about the size of a grain of sand (NASA Space Place). What these technologies detect is heat being radiated by say, a human or animal.

Picture of a Person: Courtesy of Cool Cosmos

These rays are actually the movement of chemically bonded atoms or groups of atoms in materials. Which create friction that in turn create infrared rays or more commonly known as heat.
From knowing that infrared rays are heat the only real safety considerations that can be deduced is don’t be by something to hot because too much infrared radiation can create a burn. Infrared waves are also used in remotes and cameras. Some cameras are taken of space and the earth to learn more about the nature of both (NASA Kids). Even in the natural world infrared rays are used; the viper family has infrared pits to see their prey in the dark.

Picture of Cat in Infrared: Courtesy of NASA

Clearly infrared waves are a huge section of the electromagnetic section. They have advanced our understanding of not only our world but even space. Also, it has advanced our military so we are not limited to operations in the daylight. Also, with the way infrared waves interact with matter (by heating them) it keeps us alive, hints the term huddle together when warm, this works because you are sharing infrared radiation with each other. Without this section of the electromagnetic section it would be very hard for us to even survive and we would not be as civilized even if we could survive.

Works Cited

Adustum. "INFRARED RAYS." Think Quest. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010.

http://library.thinkquest.org/C006027/html-ver/es-infra.html>.

Angelo, Joseph A. "Infrared (IR) Radiation." Science Online. INFOhio, 2003. Web. 31 Mar. 2010. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=DSTS1351&SingleRecord=True>.

IPAC. "Near, Mid, and Far Infrared." Infrared Astronomy. NASA, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2010.

.

Sports For Life... Literally

If I were a to be in a scientific field I would go into Sports Science, mainly focusing on running. Sports Scientists studies scientific principles and theories with the goal of improving sport performance (CSS). Sports Science normally covers physiology, psychology, motor control, and biomechanics though can also cover nutrition, diet, sports technology, anthropometry kinanthropometry, and performance analysis. Human movement is a closely related field discipline that studies human movement in all contexts including that of sport (Wikipedia). Sports Scientist usually work in a lab or in a training building to assist people. One of the main jobs a Sports Scientist does is study the human body, but also run tests on people (like measuring somebodies VO2 level).

Right Image: Courtesy of Texas Instruments Cool Careers

This job suits me well because first I love sports, running in specific. I find it very interesting the science and facts that are behind running. Learning and finding these results is what I would love to do. Also, I would like this job because I have had a lot of support and knowledge given to me in my athletic career and I would like to help othersdo the same. Also this is a field where you can go to school more and more, even after a PhD to enhance the knowledge of the occupation because new information is always being found. Someone could get a college education from an associates to a doctorate.
Left Image: Courtesy of UK Sports

My goal for my working career is to get a stable salary that can support a family without much stress, increase my knowledge, and be able to do my hobby (running). This career perfectly meets all my goals; first, a Sports Scientist generally makes over $1,000 a week (Occupation Information). This can vary on where the person works and will probably increase by the time I get old enough to get the job. Secondly, I will gain a lot of knowledge in this field, and it is about what I love. Finally, I will be able to do my hobby, because that is what my work would mainly be about; running. It would be my work everyday to learn about and help others with my hobby.

A Sports Scientist also matches my learning style because the research would be by vizualising and reading which is the way I learn best. Also, in order to help others with their sport one has to watch them in order to help them. This type of scientist helps future generations because as time goes on sports are going to get more popular and a way to stay fit. With the knowledge from these scientists people can enhance performance in their sport and help them better understand what is actually happening while doing the excersise. The job that truly fits my goals and personality is a Sports Sciencist, so there would be no question that this is the occupation that I am striving to be.

For video footage of Sports Science please visit EHow: Sports Science Tips.

Nuclear Fuel Rods, Friend or Foe?

Nuclear power; human’s most harmful substance, though is it still safe enough to hold the fuel rods? This question most likely came from an accident that happened with nuclear fuel rods while someone was working with them. After all it is estimated that per every million 600-1000 deaths are cause by nuclear power plants, 80% of those deaths are workers in the power plant according to Nuclear Facts. The reason why the question exists is because of the uncertainty of the public about the nuclear power; nuclear power is a concept that is very new (being created in World War II). Also, there have been some major accidents with nuclear waste, like in accident in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Luckily there were no confirmed casualties but the explosion had the power of 5-10 tons of TNT according to the Johnston Archive. When people hear “Nuclear Power” many think of a nuclear bomb, which is a devastating weapon of war. Many feel opposed to nuclear power because they are afraid of accidents and do not believe that people should be working that close with the nuclear matter.
To make the actual fuel rods, pellets of Uranium-235 and Uranium- 238 is put into the fuel rods. According to Wikipedia Uranium-235 is the most common uranium isotope found in the world and can be found everywhere in the world (in igneous rock). Most people have no clue what Uranium-235 is and if it is harmful or benign. Uranium-235 is mostly a benign substance. The half-life of Uranium-235 is 703,800,000 years and Uranium-235 has a half life of 4.46 billion years (WISE Uranium Project), which means both are an alpha level, meaning it is mostly benign. Though if Uranium-235 is inhaled, cancerous cells could be produced, so while U-235 is not very dangerous people should still be careful using it. However, after the fuel rods have been irradiated in a nuclear reactor they are the most radioactive substance known to mankind. They have to be disposed of in special areas so that the environment, animals, and people will not get hurt.

In conclusion, nuclear fuel rods are safe to hold if they have not gone through the nuclear reactor. However, if the fuel rods have gone through the nuclear reactor then they are definitely not safe to hold (Wikipedia). According to the Energy Information Administration people should use gloves when handling the fuel rods just to prevent any complications even before use. Though nuclear power and nuclear fuel rods are very dangerous, if certain precautions are taken then there will be few or no accidents. The reality is that nuclear power has become safer than ever before and with the strict rules and regulations the nuclear power plants are under we could benefit extremely from nuclear power without having very many negatives.

Related Links:

http://science.jrank.org/pages/5644/Radiation-Exposure-Effects-radiation-exposure.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spent_nuclear_fuel

USA Track and Field Website

http://www.usatf.org