Frequency and energy of a wave

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the frequency of electromagnetic waves and their ability to penetrate materials. It is established that higher frequency waves possess greater energy, which allows them to cover larger distances. However, the penetration capability is also influenced by the properties of the target medium, as demonstrated by the example of sunglasses filtering UV light. The conversation highlights that lower frequency radiation can penetrate further into the atmosphere, contradicting the initial claim about higher frequency waves.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic wave properties
  • Knowledge of photon energy and wavelength relationships
  • Familiarity with material properties affecting light penetration
  • Basic concepts of UV radiation types (UVA, UVB, UVC)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties of electromagnetic waves and their interactions with different materials
  • Study the relationship between frequency, energy, and wavelength in electromagnetic radiation
  • Explore the effects of various materials on UV radiation penetration
  • Investigate atmospheric absorption of different frequencies of electromagnetic waves
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, material scientists, and anyone interested in the behavior of electromagnetic waves in various media.

Misr
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The higher the frequency of an electromagnetic wave,the more ability to penetrate bodies(or cover larger distances) as a result of increase in energy

What explains this?
Thanks
 
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Misr said:
The higher the frequency of an electromagnetic wave,the more ability to penetrate bodies(or cover larger distances) as a result of increase in energy

What explains this?
Thanks

That is not exactly what they do see this thread https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=526735
 
Misr said:
The higher the frequency of an electromagnetic wave,the more ability to penetrate bodies(or cover larger distances) as a result of increase in energy

What explains this?
Thanks

definitely not what happens in the real world, not sure how you came about that description

cheers
Dave
 
definitely not what happens in the real world, not sure how you came about that description
From this picture
[PLAIN]http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/6947/sunraysd.jpg
so what happens in the real world?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Misr said:
so what happens in the real world?

It depends on the properties of the target medium. E.g. my sunglasses pass a lot of visible light through them, but not a lot of UV.

Btw, you picture indicates that lower frequency radiations penetrates further down into the atmosphere, not the other way round like you claimed in the OP.
 
UVC rays actually have higher frequency/photon energy (shorter wavelength) than UVB or UVA rays.

Claude.
 

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