What Is Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)?
Every day, Electromagnetic Radiation passes through you, everyone and just about everything we interact with within our daily lives. It is everywhere! Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is how energy from electromagnetic waves travels through space and can be harnessed for various uses. The release of EMR by a star or dust in an area is thermal radiation. This form of heat affects all matter, even vacuum and thus manifests as visible light. EMR is emitted from natural and artificial sources. The most common sources are cell phones, satellite TV, and microwaves. EMR plays a significant role in our lives, but we can't see or feel it. Electromagnetic radiation can be beneficial or harmful to humans, depending on its frequency. High-frequency EMRs like X-rays and gamma rays are very dangerous and can cause cancer if exposed for long periods. When electromagnetic radiation hits your skin, it causes electric charges to accumulate in the top few layers of your skin. This is the same effect that causes lightning bolts to flash whenever it rains. When the orders reach a certain threshold, they jump from one skin cell to another, creating a chain reaction. Your body naturally responds to these electric charges by releasing chemicals that reduce their threshold so they don't hurt you. When electromagnetic radiation hits a solid object, it travels at different speeds based on frequency and changes in the direction of its electric and magnetic fields. Electromagnetic waves at various frequencies have other properties, which we can observe through their effects on matter. For example, we can use electromagnetic radiation to heat a piece of metal, cause electrons to flow through an electrical circuit, or use it to excite the nuclei in gas to produce visible light. We can also use electromagnetic radiation to cause vibrations in the hearts of solid material, and we can use electromagnetic radiation to penetrate matter and cause chemical reactions in its molecules. That's right, you're a walking, talking, radiating tower of electromagnetic energy you're a beacon of health and vitality!
Related Terms by Others
Join Our Newsletter
Get weekly news, engaging articles, and career tips-all free!
By subscribing to our newsletter, you're cool with our terms and conditions and agree to our Privacy Policy.