How are electromagnetic waves are different?

Answer 1

Electromagnetic wavelengths vary in their frequency and wavelength. Gamma rays, for example, have a high frequency and short wavelength. Radio waves have a low frequency and a long wavelength.

Answer 2

EM waves can differ from one another in frequency spectra, and intensity.

EM waves can travel through the vacuum of free space at the speed of light, c, where as sound waves, for example, cannot travel unless in a medium like air or steel or water or tight strings between tin cans.

EM waves have a duality; sometimes they act as a wave--sometimes as particles.

EM waves are directionally polarized. For example, the broadcast of an analogue radio station might be received best by a receiving antenna that is horizontal or vertical or at right angles to the incoming direction of the broadcast signal. These orientations correspond to the physical orientation of the originating broadcast antenna that radiates the output signal.

Because EM waves can be polarized, the polarization of different EM waves can be different.

Some of the different parts of the EM frequency spectrum include Extreme Low Frequency (ELF), Radio Frequency (RF), Very High Frequency (VHF), Ultra High Frequency (UHF), microwaves (as in a microwave oven or MASER or Radar), below (IR), in (rainbow colors), and beyond visible (ultraviolet) light (color) radiation, X-rays, and gamma rays.

EM photons in the visible light spectrum can be polarized at the point of emission, and at the point of reception. Polarized sun glasses have a way that only lets light in that is polarized in the same physical orientation as the particles of the material that the sun glasses are. The LCD technology of digital watches and LCD display clocks has a polarizing transparent covering that corresponds with the two phase orientation states of the liquid crystal molecules that are suspended between ultra thin gold electrodes that constitute the LCD display segments. When the LCD electrodes are AC square wave energized, the crystal molecules tilt up then down at the given refresh rate. The light that passes through the polarizer cover, hits the LCD crystals that are energized, then bounces off of the light colored background will appear dark in color. If the polarizer cover is flipped over, the effect is to reverse the foreground and background colors of the LCD display, usually producing a white on black background effect. All of this is accomplished because light is being polarized and directed through crystals that are oriented at an angle to affect the path of the polarized incoming / outgoing light.

Matter / mass is a concentrated form of energy that can be converted to radiated energy in several ways that release photons (EM waves of a particular frequency), via chemical (cold) and nuclear (hot) processes.

Each form of matter absorbs and emits different frequency spectra of EM radiation (waves). Theoretical models for black body radiation has the body absorbing then radiating all frequency spectra equally at a 100% efficiency. Most types of matter absorb EM radiation at many frequencies and emit EM radiation only within a small spectrum of EM radiation. Tungsten bombarded by high energy electrons absorbs the energy, then emits two key frequency bands of x-ray frequency photon radiation--this is how modern x-ray machines work. This same kind of mechanism is available for sound waves with harmonic frequencies that induce resonant sympathetic vibrations like in Tuning Forks and piano strings.

Some physicists believe in Scalar wave magnetics that may also travel in the vacuum of space, but at a theoretical speed that defies Einstein's theories--beyond, c. These result from recent experimental evidence of instantaneous action at a distance. Mathematicians examining the equations are not impressed with the formulas.

Some advanced physicists believe in vacuum electro gravitics that can produce time space anomalies via production of gravity waves, as in the Philadelphia Experiment, and the Hutchison Effect, among others. These effects are usually produced via electric fields of hundreds of thousands to several millions of volts along with DC-pulsed magnetic fields (as in a Tesla coil). Non-scientist commentators believe the experiments are faked using trick-Photography and attached strings.

Some physicists are investigating the Joe Cell phenomenon where supposedly Orgone energy flows trigger positron particle formation to run internal combustion engines- -so called free-energy from the photon flux of the space time vacuum. Orgone is supposedly etheric flows not readily known by the public to be measurable at this time. EM waves, magnetic fields, and direct current flow supposedly interfere with Orgone flow. Non-scientist commentators believe the experiments are faked, are unwilling to obtain assistance from successful experimenters, and claim reproducibility is non-existent.