Can the wavelength of electromagnetic waves infinitely close to 0hz

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter nmz
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Infinite Wavelength
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of electromagnetic wave wavelengths approaching infinitely close to 0 Hz and whether such wavelengths can exceed the observable universe, potentially relating to the size of an infinite universe. The scope includes theoretical considerations and philosophical implications regarding measurement and observation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that while a wavelength can approach infinity, it cannot reach 0 Hz, as wavelength and frequency are fundamentally different dimensions.
  • There is a suggestion that wavelengths infinitely close to 0 Hz could theoretically exceed the observable universe and approach the infinite universe, although this remains speculative.
  • One participant argues that every signal radiates towards infinity but will never fill the entire expanding universe due to the universe's expansion over time.
  • Concerns are raised about the ability to measure differences in wavelengths and their implications, with one participant asserting that the question may be philosophical in nature and off-topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of wavelengths approaching 0 Hz and their relationship to the universe's size. There is no consensus on whether the question can be meaningfully addressed within the context of physics or if it veers into philosophical territory.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in measurement and the implications of comparing wavelengths to frequencies. The discussion also touches on the effects of signal amplitude over distance and time, which remain unresolved.

nmz
Messages
16
Reaction score
2
TL;DR
To obtain the wavelength =∞m∞m, it needs to be at 0k, also known as absolute zero. According to the definition, an object with absolute zero will not emit electromagnetic radiation.
Although it is theoretically impossible to have an infinite wavelength with the size of the entire infinite universe, when the wavelength frequency is infinitely close to 0hz, can such a wavelength exceed the observable universe and be infinitely close to the entire infinite universe? It is assumed here that the size of the universe is infinite.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
nmz said:
can such a wavelength exceed the observable universe and be infinitely close to the entire infinite universe?
As in your other closely related thread, how could you measure the difference?

Please answer the question this time.
 
Can the wavelength approach infinity? Yes.
If you rotate an isolated bar magnet through 180° once, it will radiate a constant field from that time forwards, until the end of time, well beyond your ability to observe it.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: nmz
Baluncore said:
Can the wavelength approach infinity? Yes.
If you rotate an isolated bar magnet through 180° once, it will radiate a constant field from that time forwards, until the end of time, well beyond your ability to observe it.
So what you mean is that a wavelength infinitely close to 0hz can exceed the observable universe and approach the size of the infinite universe?
 
nmz said:
So what you mean is that a wavelength infinitely close to 0hz can exceed the observable universe and approach the size of the infinite universe?
A wavelength can approach infinity, but can never be 0 Hz, because you cannot compare the wavelength to a frequency. One has the dimension of length, the other is reciprocal time.

Every signal ever generated, radiates towards infinity. That EM wave will never fill the entire expanding universe, because the universe started expanding billions of years earlier.

Radiated signals become lower in amplitude as they travel. If a signal propagated for infinite time, it would approach ∞ distance, with an amplitude of 1/∞² ≈ 0.
 
Baluncore said:
A wavelength can approach infinity, but can never be 0 Hz, because you cannot compare the wavelength to a frequency. One has the dimension of length, the other is reciprocal time.

Every signal ever generated, radiates towards infinity. That EM wave will never fill the entire expanding universe, because the universe started expanding billions of years earlier.

Radiated signals become lower in amplitude as they travel. If a signal propagated for infinite time, it would approach ∞ distance, with an amplitude of 1/∞² ≈ 0.
Even if the wavelength cannot exceed or reach the size of the whole universe.But can a wavelength infinitely close to 0hz be infinitely close to the size of the whole universe?
 
nmz said:
Then, can the wavelength infinitely close to 0hz exceed the size of the observable universe and infinitely close to the whole infinite universe?
You keep avoiding the question: how could you measure the difference?

So I will answer it for you. You cannot.

Since you cannot measure the difference, this question is philosophy and is therefore off topic on this site. It is closed as are all future instances that you might post without establishing that it is not philosophy by describing a suggested experiment.
 
Last edited:
  • Love
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: davenn and weirdoguy

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 65 ·
3
Replies
65
Views
8K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K