Cell Phone EM Waves - Health Risks & Physics Explained

[Physics345]

Homework Statement

A cell phone sends and receives electromagnetic waves in the microwave frequency range.

a) Explain the physics of how an oscillator creates these waves.

b) Research the possible side effects of using cell phones. citing at least three websites that you consider reliable, write a short 100-150 word paragraph summarizing three main conclusions based on your research and your opinion; in other words, will your cell phone usage change based on what you have learned?

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

a)

When we have an electric changing field somewhere in space (created by an antenna), it can be used to create a magnetic field, for this to occur all that is needed is a change in that electric field in space. Also if we have a changing magnetic field it also creates a changing electric field. These two changes can reoccur on regular intervals creating a chain reaction; this was figured out by James Maxwell. When the chain reaction occurs it is created by oscillating waves from the magnetic or electric changing field, which are in a way independent from their origin (parent charge).b)

Mobile phones emit radio frequency energy, which is electromagnetic radiation; the radiation can be absorbed by human tissues that are near the phone. The amount of electromagnetic radiation that occurs is dependent on variables of distance, such as the distance between you and the phone the phone and the cell phone tower and even the type of phone. There is a theoretical risk factor of brain tumors and other health issues from the use of cell phones, but considering cellphones are fairly new we can’t be positive, more research needs to be conducted on frequent and long term use of cell phone risks to be established. The Danish cancer registry analysis has found no link between cell phone use and health risks yet for cell phone users of 13 years or more. The American cancer society believes that there could be some risk related to cancer. Therefore in my opinion the health risks related to cellphones are still inconclusive, more research and time needs to pass for me to decide whether I would reduce or completely stop using a cellphone.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350886/

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs193/en/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20483835

 

[tech99]

When we have an electric changing field somewhere in space (created by an antenna), it can be used to create a magnetic field, for this to occur all that is needed is a change in that electric field in space. Also if we have a changing magnetic field it also creates a changing electric field. These two changes can reoccur on regular intervals creating a chain reaction; this was figured out by James Maxwell. When the chain reaction occurs it is created by oscillating waves from the magnetic or electric changing field, which are in a way independent from their origin (parent charge).

I think I would prefer to say that the waves are created when electrons are accelerated in the antenna. A changing electric field alone (for instance, between metal plates) will not create radiation. You mention chain reaction, but the radiated electric and magnetic waves are in-phase.

 

[phinds]

I agree w/ tech99, "chain reaction" is not in play here.

 

[Physics345]

Sorry guys bad wording once again, that is why I love this site and the people on it, with your broad understanding, you catch these things that I do not. Hopefully I will reach such a level one day.

I changed it up a bit what do you guys think?
When we have an electric field somewhere in space, it is created by electrons accelerating in an antenna between two metal plates (oscillator), which send the electric field into space. This electric field can be used to create a magnetic field. For this to occur all that is needed is a change in that electric field that is sent into space by sending a magnetic field as well causing them to change each other causing one their electrons to propagate up and down. These two changes can reoccur on regular intervals creating a loop of electric fields changing into magnetic fields; this was figured out by James Maxwell. When the loop occurs, it is created by oscillating waves from the magnetic or electric changing field, which are in a way independent from their origin (parent charge).

Or

When we have an electric field somewhere in space, it is created by electrons accelerating in an antenna between two metal plates (oscillator). The antenna then sends the electric field into space. This electric field can be used to create a magnetic field. For this to occur all that is needed is a change in that electric field that is sent into space, by sending a magnetic field as well causing them to change each other causing the magnetic and the electric field to be perpendicular to each other. These two changes can reoccur on regular intervals creating a loop of electric fields changing into magnetic fields; this was figured out by James Maxwell. When the loop occurs, it is created by oscillating waves from the magnetic or electric changing field, which are in a way independent from their origin (parent charge).

 

[Physics345]

Okay I just realized there is some wrong statements in there so I've changed it once more
When we have an electric field somewhere in space, it is created by charges accelerating in an antenna between two metal plates (oscillator). The antenna then sends the electric field into space. This electric field can be used to create a magnetic field. For this to occur all that is needed is a change in that electric field that is sent into space, by sending a magnetic field as well, it will cause the two to connect. The magnetic field will move up and down in an oscillating motion and the electric field to move perpendicularly to the magnetic field (basically they are moving in a perpendicular motion to each other). These two changes can reoccur on regular intervals creating a loop of radiated electric fields creating radiated magnetic fields and vice versa; this was figured out by James Maxwell.

 

[tech99]

Okay I just realized there is some wrong statements in there so I've changed it once more
When we have an electric field somewhere in space, it is created by charges accelerating in an antenna between two metal plates (oscillator). The antenna then sends the electric field into space. This electric field can be used to create a magnetic field. For this to occur all that is needed is a change in that electric field that is sent into space, by sending a magnetic field as well, it will cause the two to connect. The magnetic field will move up and down in an oscillating motion and the electric field to move perpendicularly to the magnetic field (basically they are moving in a perpendicular motion to each other). These two changes can reoccur on regular intervals creating a loop of radiated electric fields creating radiated magnetic fields and vice versa; this was figured out by James Maxwell.

As far as I can see, an accelerating electric charge produces an electric transverse wave, and when this passes an observer we see an in-phase magnetic field.

 

[Physics345]

As far as I can see, an accelerating electric charge produces an electric transverse wave, and when this passes an observer we see an in-phase magnetic field.

What do you mean by an "observer"? Ahhh, why can't physics be as straight forward as math! there is so many terms I don't understand sadly, I'll get there one day!

 

[tech99]

What do you mean by an "observer"? Ahhh, why can't physics be as straight forward as math! there is so many terms I don't understand sadly, I'll get there one day!

Sorry to confuse you as this is not my intention, but the question of the EM wave is a puzzle for everyone.
The following Wiki page says that the magnetic field is just the electric field seen when we have relative movement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativistic_electromagnetism

 

[Physics345]

Sorry to confuse you as this is not my intention, but the question of the EM wave is a puzzle for everyone.
The following Wiki page says that the magnetic field is just the electric field seen when we have relative movement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relativistic_electromagnetism

My school advises me to never use Wikipedia as a source of information. Would you happen to have a website with an authoritative reference.

I was also able to come up with a final answer tell me what you think.
When we have an electric field somewhere in space, it is created by charges accelerating in an antenna between two metal plates (oscillator). The antenna then sends the electric field into space. This electric field can be used to create a magnetic field. For this to occur all that is needed is a change in that electric field that is sent into space, by sending a magnetic field as well, it will cause the two to connect. The magnetic field will move up and down in an oscillating motion and the electric field moves perpendicularly to the magnetic field (basically in a right angled perpendicular motion). These two changes can reoccur on regular intervals creating a loop of changing electric fields creating changing magnetic fields and vice versa; this was figured out by James Maxwell. Radio waves are produced in this process. Cellphone communication is possible by transmitting these radio waves in the microwave frequency range with transmitting towers that have microwave mats, which are then sent to satellites in space in the form of signals (radio waves) allowing for communication through cellphones.I also created a diagram:

Also this song describes my feelings towards physics:

 

[tech99]

I feel this reply fulfils its purpose. Well done.

 

[Physics345]

I feel this reply fulfils its purpose. Well done.

Thank you sir!