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

AI Thread Summary
Terahertz (THz) waves, positioned between microwave and infrared light on the electromagnetic spectrum, can achieve data rates over 100 Gbps but face limitations due to water vapor absorption in the atmosphere, similar to millimeter waves used in 5G. While THz wave energy absorption does contribute to atmospheric warming, its impact is negligible compared to the warming effects of CO2 emissions and the greenhouse effect. The energy consumption from mobile devices, regardless of the generation of technology, ultimately contributes to atmospheric heating, but this is minor compared to solar heating. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding energy conservation and the need for reliable data to support claims about the environmental impact of emerging technologies like 6G.
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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
 
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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.
 
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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.
 
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ideatank17 said:
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.
 
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Thank you for your replies guys, all very informative
 
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.
 
This thread has not one reliable reference, not one. All claims are just wild speculations. Moreover, the question has been sufficiently answered by
Vanadium 50 said:
Indeed, all the energy produced by humans ends up heating the atmosphere.
and
russ_watters said:
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.
 

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