Is is possible for us to change the frequency of a wave?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of changing the frequency of electromagnetic waves, particularly in relation to gamma rays and higher frequency radiation. Participants explore theoretical and practical aspects of wave frequency changes, including interactions with gravity and the Doppler effect.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that gamma rays represent the highest frequency electromagnetic waves, while others propose that higher energy photons, such as cosmic rays, exist beyond gamma rays.
  • One participant mentions that the frequency of a wave can be altered through interactions with gravity or the Doppler effect, but questions whether these are the only methods.
  • Another participant notes that electromagnetic radiation can theoretically have smaller wavelengths than gamma rays, though they express uncertainty about the context of the original question.
  • There is a discussion about the definition of gamma radiation, with one participant clarifying that it refers to any electromagnetic radiation with energy greater than about 100 keV.
  • One participant elaborates on cosmic rays, stating they are often considered in the same category as gamma rays but are distinct in their origins and production mechanisms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of electromagnetic waves with frequencies higher than gamma rays, and there is no consensus on the methods for changing wave frequency. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the definitions and classifications of high-energy radiation.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the definitions of radiation types and the mechanisms for changing wave frequencies, which are not fully explored or agreed upon.

Jack
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Is there an electromagnetic wave with a higher frequency than that of of gamma rays?

Is is possible for us to change the frequency of a wave?
 
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Originally posted by Jack
Is there an electromagnetic wave with a higher frequency than that of of gamma rays?

Is is possible for us to change the frequency of a wave?
I think gamma waves are as high as they get, but I'm not sure.

The frequency of a wave can be changed through interaction wih gravity or doppler shift. I think those are the only ways.
 
Most EM spectrum tend to cut off at gamma rays since that's about the most energetic radiation we see, but in principle you could have EM radiation with smaller wavelengths.

Am guessing that you're not referring to reradiated EM waves (e.g. light is absorbed by some material and then reradiated at a lower frequency OR sum frequency generation), nor some experimental laser techniques where you're working with entire pulses of laser light, so am not sure otherwise on the second part of the original post.
 
The term 'gamma' refers to any EM radiation with energy greater than about 100 keV. It is unbounded -- any photon with energy > 100 keV is gamma radiation.

- Warren
 
What is heat radiated out from a hot object as?
 
You can easily calculate the peak of the blackbody spectrum for any given temperature; that will give you a rough idea of the dominant frequency radiated by any thermal body at that temperature.

- Warren
 
There are higher energy photons beyond gamma rays, they are called cosmic rays, some people put that in the same class as gamma though, but some sources set it apart. Whatever, its a matter of semantics, but if you're used to thinking of a gamma ray as something that we can produce on Earth then you should know that in this cosmic ray regime, you can't produce them with any machine yet. They come from space and when they enter the atmosphere cause "cosmic ray air showers" which is a shower of muons electrons and other stuff that comes down to the surface when the photon collides with an atom in the upper atmosphere. There is a very small flux of really really really high energy cosmic ray that is so high energy that physicists have trouble explaining where it comes from because no known mechanism in the universe should be able to produce such energetic photons.
 
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For more info on the very high energy cosmic rays that grady is talking about please check out this site from my universities website. This project which is responsible for observing that "very small flux of really really really high energy cosmic rays" was kind of spurred on by my department and is one of their big proud achievements. They have lectures on it all the time here, its really pretty neat.
 

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