Speed of radio wave is faster than speed of gamma wave, right?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the speed of electromagnetic (EM) waves, specifically comparing the speeds of radio waves and gamma waves in various media. Participants explore the concept of dispersion in different materials and how it affects the speed of EM waves, addressing both theoretical and practical implications.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the speed of EM waves varies in different media, with radio waves potentially traveling faster than gamma waves in certain conditions.
  • Others argue that the speed of all EM waves is the same in a vacuum, but in dispersive media, the speed can depend on frequency.
  • A participant mentions that in some frequency ranges, anomalous dispersion occurs, complicating the relationship between frequency and speed.
  • There is a suggestion that the original question may be misinterpreted, with a distinction made between the speed of EM waves in a vacuum versus in materials.
  • Some participants highlight that gamma rays can penetrate materials more effectively than radio waves, which may influence perceived speeds.
  • Concerns are raised about the complexity of the topic, with references to materials with negative indices of refraction and the challenges of providing a straightforward answer.
  • Discussions include the phenomenon of chromatic dispersion as an example of how different wavelengths can travel at different speeds in a medium.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement on the initial question, with some asserting that the speed of radio waves is indeed faster than gamma waves in certain media, while others maintain that the speed of EM waves is consistent in a vacuum and varies in materials based on frequency. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the definitions of speed in different media, the complexity of dispersion effects, and the need for clarity regarding the context of the original question. Participants also note that the discussion could become overly complicated if all exceptions are considered.

7bear
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In other medium except vacuum, there is different speed in different EM wave, right?
i.e. speed of radio wave is faster than speed of gamma wave, right?
 
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Pretty bare bones question.

The bare bones answer is, No.
 
7bear said:
In other medium except vacuum, there is different speed in different EM wave, right?
i.e. speed of radio wave is faster than speed of gamma wave, right?

Actually, the answer is yes.

In a dispersive medium, each frequency will have different speeds. This is because the index of refraction is frequency dependent, typically given as

[tex]n^2 = \frac{c^2k^2}{\omega^2}[/tex]

where k is the wavenumber and [tex]\omega[/tex]is the angular frequency of the light. Now since the speed of light in a medium is defined as

[tex]n = \frac{c}{v}[/tex]

this means that each frequency of light travels with different speeds in the medium.

Zz.
 
However at some frequency range there exists also anomalous dispersion (if during the normal dispersion the refraction index is decreasing with the increase of the frequency - in the anomal case it is increasing)
So Integral's answer "No" is also applicable ;)
 
hemmul said:
However at some frequency range there exists also anomalous dispersion (if during the normal dispersion the refraction index is decreasing with the increase of the frequency - in the anomal case it is increasing)
So Integral's answer "No" is also applicable ;)

Oy vey.

If we are going to have to consider ALL possible exceptions to the confines of what I think the question is asking, all our answers will be 20 pages long. I can also talk about materials with negative index of refraction, 1 and 2D materials with no well-defined quasiparticles that produce nowhere near the Drude peaks expected in conventional optical conductivity, etc.. etc.

Zz.
 
ZapperZ said:
I can also talk about materials with negative index of refraction, 1 and 2D materials with no well-defined quasiparticles that produce nowhere near the Drude peaks expected in conventional optical conductivity, etc.. etc.
Zz.

Sure, but that won't produce any new answers (besides "Yes" and "No") to the original 7bear's question ;)
i just implicitly meant that there is no general "Yes" or "No" answer to the question as is.
 
ZapperZ said:
I can also talk about materials with negative index of refraction

[offtop]
do you mean biisotropic media?
[/offtop]
 
hemmul said:
Sure, but that won't produce any new answers (besides "Yes" and "No") to the original 7bear's question ;)

Yes there is: DEPENDS [and I don't mean the garment you wear for bladder control problems either!]. Depends is a superposition of "yes" and "no" answers since it can contain both simultaneously. (see, I can be a smart ass too).

And no, negative index of refraction, and left-handed materials are not all "biisotropic media".

Zz.
 
7bear really asked two questions. I think an accurate translation of into standard American English would be:

#1 The speed of an EM wave through a material medium is frequency dependent, right?

#2 The speed of radio waves through a material medium is less than the speed of gamma waves.

Integral's answer of "no" is not the correct answer to #1

And I'm pretty sure that gamma waves pass through most materials almost as though they were a vacuum; radio waves certainly don't. So Integral's answer to #2 would be incorrect as well.
 
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  • #10
gamma rays do not reach to the ground of our earth(thank you atmosphere and water particles) otherwise wed all be crispy critters thus it is not the gamma ray but of the atmosphere which blocks this wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum as far as speed all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed period
 
  • #11
Mariko,

"all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed period"


Really? Ever seen a rainbow?
 
  • #12
Mariko said:
as far as speed all electromagnetic waves move at the same speed period

First of all : what is a 'speed period' ?

Secondly : NO, EM-waves do not have the same velocity in a certain medium. The velocity depends on the index of refraction n.

Thirdly : PHOTONS always travel at the speed of light.

regards
marlon
 
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  • #13
My only response to this is OPPS!
I am not reading the question the same now, were I able to take it back I would, but it has been quoted way to many times. When I read it now I the answer I get is, Yes.
 
  • #14
jdavel said:
Really? Ever seen a rainbow?

Yes I have and but what does a rainbow have to do with the speed at which a elecctromagnetic wave moves?Interesting i would like to know...Also
I ment that if that medium was space electro magnetic waves would move at the same speed which is the speed of light..And i don't know why mt textbook here says this and yet you all want to tell me that its wrong?
 
  • #15
Mariko said:
Yes I have and but what does a rainbow have to do with the speed at which a elecctromagnetic wave moves?


One single answer : (CHROMATIC) DISPERSION

marlon
 
  • #16
Mariko,

"And i don't know why mt textbook here says this and yet you all want to tell me that its wrong?"

No one here is saying that light speed through empty space depends on frequency. If they did, they'd be wrong.

But the original post in this thread was asking about light speed through "other medium except vacuum". And the speed of EM waves through material media depends on frequency.

This effect in rain drops is what creates a rainbow.
 
  • #17
Yup ok thanks i was not reading the post right and I apologize for that thanks for clearing that up I think ill stick to the question asking side and let you pros do the helping heh
 

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