Why can't we feel certain kinds of waves?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the inability to feel certain types of electromagnetic waves, specifically radio waves and microwaves, while being able to perceive infrared energy. It is established that radio and microwaves from the sun possess longer wavelengths and lower energy levels, which prevents them from interacting with human sensory receptors. In contrast, ultraviolet (UV) light, although mostly blocked by the atmosphere, is felt due to its higher energy, which can cause sunburns and DNA damage. The reference to blackbody radiation provides a scientific basis for understanding these interactions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic spectrum terminology
  • Basic knowledge of human sensory perception
  • Familiarity with blackbody radiation concepts
  • Awareness of the effects of UV light on biological tissues
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the electromagnetic spectrum and its various wavelengths
  • Study the principles of blackbody radiation and its implications
  • Explore the biological effects of ultraviolet radiation on human skin
  • Investigate the interaction of different wavelengths with matter
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, biologists, and anyone interested in the interactions between electromagnetic waves and human sensory perception.

Biologik
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I know the light emitted from the sun has all the wavelengths, and the higher energy ones are blocked because they cannot pierce the atmosphere. But I know the Radio waves, Micro waves, and Ultra Violet come through, so why can't we feel them? And why is is that we can feel Infared energy and not radio waves?
 
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Lots of radio waves are too large wavelength to interact with us, additionally radio and microwaves from the sun don't carry that much energy (overall) to affect us (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbody_radiation. UV light causes sunburns and DNA damage (i.e. we do feel it) even though it is mostly blocked by the atmosphere, because they are much higher energy (and more flux is delivered in UV; again, see the black-body article).
 

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