Which electromagnetic waves are characterized as having wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than microwaves?

The correct answer is infrared radiation, which has wavelengths that fall between those of visible light and microwaves on the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared wavelengths range approximately from about 700 nanometers (just beyond the red end of the visible spectrum) to about 1 millimeter. This makes infrared radiation an essential component of many technologies, such as remote controls and thermal imaging, while also being emitted by objects at room temperature, facilitating heat transfer.

Understanding the placement of infrared radiation helps in distinguishing it from the other types of electromagnetic waves mentioned. Ultraviolet radiation has shorter wavelengths than visible light, while X-rays have even shorter wavelengths than ultraviolet radiation. Radio waves, on the other hand, have much longer wavelengths than microwaves, making them unsuitable for this specific range.