How is light considered “electromagnetic” radiation, What does it have to do with electromagnetism?
In: Physics
Electromagnetic radiation interacts with various materials based on [its frequency](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/EM_spectrumrevised.png/1920px-EM_spectrumrevised.png) (the energy of the photons is based on their frequency). Radio frequencies interact with metals (antennas), microwave frequencies interact with water and other materials (microwave oven), visible frequencies interact with the receptors in your eyes, gamma ray frequencies interact with your cells / damage your DNA causing radiation sickness, and so on.
Visible light is just a frequency of electromagnetic radiation.
Electricity and magnetism are caused by “charges”, and “charge” is a fundamental property of matter, just like “mass”, “spin”, and other such things. Atoms have electrons and protons (these are charged particles), and electromagnetism interacts with atoms / is caused by these charges in the atoms.
Stars are made of atoms, and their atoms create electromagnetism (a star emits all sorts of frequencies, not just visible light), and your eyes have atoms in them that interact with (receive) electromagnetism. Radio antennas are made of atoms, electrical wires are made of atoms, magnets are made of atoms, and so on.
Latest Answers