5G and future 6G terahertz absorbed by water vapour = heating?

[ideatank17]

TL;DR Summary

Will 5G and future 6G cause further atmospheric heating since the terahertz bandwidth is absorbable by water vapour, but does absorb equate to transfer electromagentic microwave inrfrared fequencies and heat it?

I just found this piece in an article:
Terahertz waves (THz), which are submillimeter waves sitting between microwave and infrared light on the electromagnetic spectrum, have been used to achieve data rates greater than 100 Gbps. Unfortunately, THz waves share an Achilles’ Heel with the millimeter waves used in 5G. Water vapor in Earth’s atmosphere is a strong absorber of terahertz radiation, limiting the range of THz applications.
From this source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/space/satellites/a34739258/china-launches-first-6g-satellite/
Ive never been a fan of popular mechanics but that's my personal view. That aside, is this not a threat to warming atmospheres since we are already seeing ever increasing temperatures. Just curious, i could be way off. I only have a BSc in Physics, mainly theoretical and am now doing an MSc in sustainability. So the crossover here is intriguing to me. Any input appreciated. Thanks

 

[Baluncore]

The THz wave energy absorption does warm the atmosphere, but the magnitude of that warming is infinitesimal compared with the warming due to CO₂ emissions and the greenhouse effect.

 

[Vanadium 50]

All the energy use by cell phones already ends up heating the atmosphere. This is independent of how many G's we are talking about - 5,6,10.

Indeed, all the energy produced by humans ends up heating the atmosphere. That's 6 x 10²⁰ joules, or about 120 J per kg of atmosphere per year. Solar heating of the atmosphere is many millions of times larger.

 

[russ_watters]

That aside, is this not a threat to warming atmospheres since we are already seeing ever increasing temperatures.

It's not the 6G that'll get you, it's the power plant powering it.

Sorry, but the rest of this is going to sting a bit:

I only have a BSc in Physics...

Frankly, that's pretty disappointing.

...mainly theoretical and am now doing an MSc in sustainability.

That's really disappointing.

You really need to put some thought/effort into incorporating into your entire worldview, what the concept of conservation of energy means. Someone with your education level should be able to apply it better.

 

[ideatank17]

Thank you for your replies guys, all very informative

 

[tech99]

I think that, for an ordinary mobile phone, much of the radiation will make it into space, as atmospheric absorption is low up to 20GHz or so (depending on rainfall). The atmospheric absorption at THz frequencies is no doubt useful as it limits the coverage of base stations and allows the frequencies to be re-used at closer distances.

 

[fresh_42]

This thread has not one reliable reference, not one. All claims are just wild speculations. Moreover, the question has been sufficiently answered by

Indeed, all the energy produced by humans ends up heating the atmosphere.

and

It's not the 6G that'll get you, it's the power plant powering it.

Everything else needs hard data first, and some likely easy calculations next.

This thread is closed.