Infrared waves are often called heat waves because:
**Visible light** λ≈400-700 nm, f≈4×10¹⁴ to 7×10¹⁴ Hz, narrow part of spectrum sensitive to human eye, produced by atomic transitions, used for vision, photosynthesis, optical fibers, central frequency ≈5×10¹⁴ Hz, different colors correspond to different λ. Infrared waves are absorbed by water molecules in materials, increasing their thermal motion and thus heating the material. Using c = fλ, E₀/B₀ = c, I_d = ε₀ dΦ_E/dt, and spectrum classification λ = c/f, evaluation yields They cause vibration of atoms and molecules, increasing temperature, illustrating EM wave transverse nature and Maxwell'
Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Electromagnetic Waves > Infrared, Visible Light and Applications