Question

is electromagnetic radiation energy?

Answer 1

electromagnetic radiation is every where... transmission from communication facilities such as cellular stations, microwaves and satellites, all forms of wireless communications and even broadcast radio/TV stations and alike... are sources of electromagnetic radiation... there are continuous studies right now on recycling these electromagnetic radiation because really they are carrying power that once you combine will provide you additional source of energy.... there are developed devices already on how to increase the power you can get...

Answer 2

ok so what your saying is that it can be energy, and transfer its enrgy or it could be gamma rays, microwaves etc? @Orion1213

Answer 3

It not only 'Can' be energy, all forms of Electromagnetic Radiation are energy. The higher the frequency, the greater the energy.
Would you like further clarification or examples?

Answer 4

yes please, it says that EMR is a way that energy can be transferred..... what does hat mean? and also an example to back it up? thanks @mstoldegon

Answer 5

The EMR spectrum (range of frequencies) goes from virtually Zero Hertz (Hz or cycles per second) to more that 10^18 Hz (ExaHertz). The higher the frequency, the greater the energy. A good table of frequency v. energy (and much more) can be found in Wikipedia under the subject of "Electromagnetic Spectrum".
Example: Most of the heat we 'physically feel' from the Sun is in the form of 'InfraRed' EMR (that which is lower in frequency than the Red light we can see). As heat can be transferred by only three means: conduction; convection; and radiation; and the vacuum of space between the Sun and Earth eliminates conduction and convection, radiation must be the only way the heat is getting to us. That is one example. More?

Answer 6

could another example be (of transferring energy) be like radio waves are being transmitted from a source (lie a radio tower) toward like cell phones, or tv ? which transfers the energy to the electrons in the cell phone and tv to recieve whatever its sending? @mstoldegon

Answer 7

Yes. The transmitting device, whether it is the cell tower or your cell phone, creates EMR (for cell phones it is in the microwave spectrum) by moving electrons through the antenna. The moving electrons, going back and forth at the proper frequency, generate the EMR. That EMR energy radiates out in nearly all directions so that some small part of it will be picked up by the receiving antenna. The EMR is absorbed by the antenna and creates electron movement in the receiving circuit. That becomes the signal the phone, or cell tower, amplifies and uses to process the voice message (or text or pics, etc.).

Answer 8

OHHH ok thank you!! and i have one last question and its about interference with radio signals. so is it depending on the conditions, an object can either receive the EMR or not? so if it cant receive them then does the EMR transmitted from the source going to act as an interference to the receiving object? @mstoldegon

Answer 9

Your first question: In order than an object be able to "Receive" the signal, it must have an appropriate receiving mechanism, so for radios, TVs, cell phones, etc. it would be the correct antenna for the frequency, AND the proper orientation for the polarity of the EMR. Confused, most people don't even know that EMR often has an orientation (polarity). This is by nature dictated by the shape and position of the antenna. Light which is a form of EMR is oriented in all directions when it comes from most sources of light (sun, light bulbs, etc.). It can be "polarized" by reflection (off shiny surfaces, water, etc.). If you wear polarized sunglasses, the direction of the polarization of the sunglasses is 90 degrees to most the reflected light. It does not let much of that light through so it makes it easier on the user to see other things.

Answer 10

Second question: Well, the signal can act as interference but the answer isn't straight forward. If you were near a lot of metal buildings, the transmitted signal could get to you by bouncing around like a pinball. With the same frequency coming from different directions (hence taking different lengths of time to reach you) the signal could cancel, cause ghosting, echo, etc. This would ruin the quality.
Interference can also come for other sources of EMR. When they interfere with what you are suppose to receive, they become known as ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI). Sources such as Lightning, arc welders, bad lighting fixtures, etc. are examples. They emit EMR in many different frequencies at one time.
One further form of interference is objects that absorb the EMR. Mountains (and nearly all earth materials), buildings, clouds, tress, are all examples of objects that absorb EMR, at least some portions of the spectrum. As they absorb the signal you want, it will be hard for the receiver to distinguish the signal from other background EMR.
Did this answer your question?

Answer 11

excellent answer!! :) youve earned yourself a fan ^^

Answer 12

You're welcome, and thanks.