eli5: How is RF radiation different to the radiation such as alpha, beta, gamma rays we learn about in school?

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How is RF radiation different to the radiation we learn about in school?
What can they penetrate and what can block them?

I looked up articles but i don’t really understand. I’ve been sleeping with my phone under my pillow for 7 years and i need to know if my pillow was enough to block out the RF radiation emitted by my phone or if i have an increased risk in brain cancer.

(Sorry if this is all phrased incorrectly, i’ve been panicking for the past few minutes)

In: Chemistry

6 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

RF radiation is transmitted/mediated by photons, which have nearly zero mass. That means they have very little momentum so they bounce right off of you like a ping pong ball. Alpha and beta are a protons, neutrons, and electrons. They bounce off of you like a fist-sized rock. Gamma rays are like ping pong balls shot from a rifle.

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