Is Electromagnetic Induction Harmful to Humans?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential harmful effects of electromagnetic induction on humans, particularly focusing on the safety of electromagnetic fields generated for powering devices. Participants explore various aspects of electromagnetic fields, their energy levels, and the conditions under which they may pose risks to human health.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether creating an electromagnetic field for powering devices can harm individuals nearby.
  • Another participant suggests that the potential harm depends on the strength of the electromagnetic field and its wavelength.
  • A different participant explains that electromagnetic waves carry energy related to their wavelength, indicating that shorter wavelengths carry more energy and could be harmful if the energy is significant.
  • One participant asserts that a sufficiently strong electromagnetic field can be lethal, using lightning as an example of a dangerous electromagnetic phenomenon.
  • Another participant challenges the assertion that lightning's electromagnetic field is the primary cause of harm, arguing that it is the massive electron flow through the body that leads to fatality or injury.
  • Further clarification is provided regarding the distinction between direct lightning strikes and near misses, emphasizing the role of the induced electric field in causing harm.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms of harm associated with electromagnetic fields, particularly in relation to lightning strikes. There is no consensus on the specific effects of electromagnetic induction on human health or the relative importance of induced electric fields versus direct current flow.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the difficulty in defining threshold values for harmful effects related to electromagnetic fields, and there is a lack of consensus on the specific conditions under which harm may occur.

NonPhysicsMajor
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Hey I was wondering if anyone out there can help me. After doing some research I was not able to find out on my own. Well, the question I have is: does creating an electromagnetic field for the purpose of powering something (electromagnetic induction) create any harmful effects to anyone close to it?

Thanks in advance
 
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that would depend on "strength" of the field. or to say it another way, the wavelength of the "ripples".
you wouldn't try is close to the electromagnetic field created by annihilation either nuke!
 
I don't think I understand the explanation
 
Electromagnetic waves carry enegy, and amount of that energy is related to their wavelength (the shorter wavelength they have, the more energy they have). If the amount of energy is "small", it wouldn't have any serious effect on human. however, if they are carrying a "huge" amount of energy, they can be disastrous.

The waves created by your monitor right in front of you are those carrying "small" amount of energy. The waves created in a nuclear reaction or an annihilation (such as electron-positron annihilation) are those that carry "huge" amount of energy, and harmful.

But I can't define a threshold value for wavelength (at what energy you dna gets corrupted, your nerves misfunction, etc), maybe a biologist can.

Better?
 
NonPhysicsMajor said:
..does creating an electromagnetic field for the purpose of powering something (electromagnetic induction) create any harmful effects to anyone close to it?
If the electromagnetic field is large enough it can stop the human heart, so yes. It can kill someone. E.g. If lightning struck close to you, say a meter away, then it can stop your heart and you.

Pete
 
pmb_phy said:
If the electromagnetic field is large enough it can stop the human heart, so yes. It can kill someone. E.g. If lightning struck close to you, say a meter away, then it can stop your heart and you.

Pete


I beg to differ. Fatality or injuries from a lightning strike is the result of massive electron flow through the human body, be it a direct or "stand-off" hit. The EM field generated by a lightning strike is nothing compared to the actual DC current potentialized.
 
pallidin said:
Fatality or injuries from a lightning strike is the result of massive electron flow through the human body, be it a direct or "stand-off" hit. The EM field generated by a lightning strike is nothing compared to the actual DC current potentialized.
It is the induced electrtic field which causes those effects and it is the induced electric field which I'm speaking of. A direct strike is different than a near miss in its manner of interaction with the human body.

Pete
 
pmb_phy said:
It is the induced electrtic field which causes those effects and it is the induced electric field which I'm speaking of. A direct strike is different than a near miss in its manner of interaction with the human body.

Pete

Ah, very good. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
 

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