Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is the energy that travels through space in the form of electromagnetic waves.[3]They are produced by the movement of electrons, which are known as electrically charged particles.[4]EMR is composed of a broad range of frequencies, starting with low-frequency radio waves and ending with high-frequency gamma rays.[5]
This spectrum is defined as the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation. [6]It is composed of radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays, and gamma rays.[7] All of these types of radiation have different frequencies and other important characteristics, such as wavelength and energy levels.[8]
Electromagnetic radiation has positive and negative effects on living organisms.[9]It plays a crucial role in human lives as it functions by allowing individuals to see the world through visible light, as well as providing energy through infrared radiation and radio waves.[10]However, exposure to certain types of electromagnetic radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation and X-rays, can also be harmful to human health.[11]
Positive effects of EM fields on human health
Electromagnetic radiation has several positive effects, such as:
Communication: Electromagnetic radiation permits for communication to occur through transmission of radio waves.[12]This type of electromagnetic radiation functions by carrying information through a great distance.[13]Radio waves are used for television as well as radio and it allows for information to be received and sent through long distances.[14]
Medical Applications: Electromagnetic radiation can be applied in the medical field by using radiation therapy for cancer as well as diagnostic imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI, and CT scans.[15]
Electromagnetic radiation is applied in renewable energy production like solar panels which aid in converting sunlight into electricity.[16]
Negative effects of EM fields on human health
Electromagnetic fields have several negative effects on the human health that can lead to death or a terrible illness. The negative effects are:
Tissue and DNA damage: exposure to electromagnetic fields can lead to damage in the tissues and DNA through thermal or non-thermal mechanisms.[17]When heat is converted and absorbed by the body's electromagnetic energy, thermal consequences can occur.[18]On the other hand, non-thermal effects have a negative effect as well since they lead to an increase in free radical generation in tissues.[19]
Electromagnetic fields can disrupt electronic devices: Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) can disrupt electronic devices in the medical field, such as pacemakers defibrillators, and other medical equipment.[20]This electromagnetic interference can be generated by cell phones and when it contacts these devices, it causes malfunctions which could harm the patients.[21]
Infertility: Research has shown that men who are exposed to cell phones regularly could have a lower sperm count, decreased sperm motility, and a decline in semen quality.[22]
When electromagnetic waves rotate in directions perpendicular to the direction of travel, it is known as non-polarized light.[23] The electric field of light waves can also rotate in any direction within the plane that is perpendicular to the direction of travel.[24] This also means that the magnetic field is positioned in any direction within that plane.[25] To create non-polarized light, light can pass through a polarizing filter and then that filter can rotate to randomly arrange the polarized waves.[26]
Circularly polarized light is defined as the light where electric and magnetic fields will spin around the direction of travel with which the electric and magnetic fields rotate around the direction of propagation with a fixed phase difference.[27]
Purcell and Morin, Harvard University. (2013). Electricity and Magnetism, 820p (3rded.). Cambridge University Press, New York. ISBN978-1-107-01402-2. p 430: "These waves... require no medium to support their propagation. Traveling electromagnetic waves carry energy, and... the Poynting vector describes the energy flow...;" p 440: ... the electromagnetic wave must have the following properties: 1) The field pattern travels with speed c (speed of light); 2) At every point within the wave... the electric field strength E equals "c" times the magnetic field strength B; 3) The electric field and the magnetic field are perpendicular to one another and to the direction of travel, or propagation."
Browne, Michael (2013). Physics for Engineering and Science, p427 (2nded.). McGraw Hill/Schaum, New York. ISBN978-0-07-161399-6.; p319: "For historical reasons, different portions of the EM spectrum are given different names, although they are all the same kind of thing. Visible light constitutes a narrow range of the spectrum, from wavelengths of about 400-800 nm.... ;p 320 "An electromagnetic wave carries forward momentum... If the radiation is absorbed by a surface, the momentum drops to zero and a force is exerted on the surface... Thus the radiation pressure of an electromagnetic wave is (formula)."
Network (GWEN), National Research Council (US) Committee on Assessment of the Possible Health Effects of Ground Wave Emergency (1993). Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Organs and Tissues. National Academies Press (US).
Network (GWEN), National Research Council (US) Committee on Assessment of the Possible Health Effects of Ground Wave Emergency (1993). Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Organs and Tissues. National Academies Press (US).
Network (GWEN), National Research Council (US) Committee on Assessment of the Possible Health Effects of Ground Wave Emergency (1993). Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Organs and Tissues. National Academies Press (US).