Questions on e/m wave longevity

[Ulysees]

I have said this to a friend, but I am not sure if it is true.

If we imagine a photon traveling in interstellar space, there is nothing to interact with so it will continue to move in its direction forever, or until it finds something to interact with (such as matter).

Infrared light is made up of photons too, of less energy than visible light (E=hf). Microwaves are quantised similarly, and the quantum of microwave radiation has even less energy. In short, any electromagnetic wave is quantized.

The brain emits electromagnetic waves. Typical frequencies, around 10 Hz. No need to detail brain states here, the point is that brain e/m wave frequencies are very low. More on the significance of this below.

Software such as shown below can be used to solve Maxwell's equations in the time-domain. So we can obtain the attenuation of even brain frequency e/m waves as they travel through the air, as they spread in all directions and get absorbed partly by air.

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=219480

Attenuation is asymptotic (energy tends to zero as distance tends to infinity), which translates into the probability of a quantum reaching an observer at a distance tending to zero as distance tends to infinity. Some of the quanta of brainwaves survive through the atmosphere long enough to reach space, because of the very large total number of quanta (the number being very large because each quantum at 10 Hz has a very low energy according to E=hf so a large number of them are emitted to make up the energy measured around the brain).

So some brainwave quanta escape the earth. And therefore, they go through space, they continue forever if they find nothing to interact with, or they get absorbed if they find something. They bend a little due to gravity, but with no other interaction, they continue.

It follows our brainwaves live forever, or at least they live for an extremely long time.

Is there any error in the above reasoning?

 

[eljose79]

I can provide some insight into your question about the lifespan of brainwaves in space. While your reasoning may be partially correct, there are some important factors to consider.

Firstly, it is true that electromagnetic waves, such as brainwaves, are quantized and can travel through space indefinitely if they do not interact with any matter. However, the probability of these waves reaching a distant observer decreases as distance increases, as you mentioned. This is due to the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of a wave decreases with the square of the distance from its source. So while some brainwaves may escape into space, their intensity would be greatly diminished by the time they reach a distant observer.

Additionally, the brain emits a wide range of frequencies, not just the typical 10 Hz mentioned in the forum post. This means that brainwaves of different frequencies would have different levels of attenuation and probability of reaching a distant observer. It is also important to note that the brainwaves emitted by an individual would not be the same as those measured around the brain, as they would have already been attenuated and changed by the surrounding environment.

Furthermore, it is currently not possible to accurately measure brainwaves in space due to the limitations of our technology. So while it is possible that some brainwaves may continue to travel through space, there is currently no evidence to support the claim that they live forever or for an extremely long time.

In conclusion, while your reasoning may have some validity, there are many factors to consider and it is not currently possible to accurately determine the lifespan of brainwaves in space. Further research and advancements in technology may provide more insight into this topic in the future.

 

[denian]

I would respond by saying that while the concept of electromagnetic wave longevity is an interesting topic, there are a few points that need to be clarified and addressed in your statement.

Firstly, while it is true that a photon traveling in interstellar space will continue in its direction until it interacts with something, it is important to note that the universe is not a perfect vacuum. There are various forms of matter and energy present in space that can affect the movement and lifespan of electromagnetic waves. For example, interstellar gas and dust can scatter and absorb electromagnetic waves, reducing their lifespan.

Secondly, your statement about brainwaves living forever or for an extremely long time is not entirely accurate. While it is true that some brainwave quanta may escape the Earth and travel through space, it is important to consider the vastness of the universe and the likelihood of these waves encountering something to interact with. The probability of a brainwave quantum reaching an observer at a distant location becomes increasingly small as the distance increases. Additionally, as mentioned before, there are various factors in space that can affect the lifespan of electromagnetic waves.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the concept of brainwaves "living" is not entirely accurate as brainwaves are not living entities. They are simply a form of electromagnetic radiation produced by the brain.

In conclusion, while your reasoning is interesting, it is important to consider the complexities and uncertainties of the universe and its effects on electromagnetic waves when discussing their lifespan. It is also important to use precise and accurate terminology when discussing scientific concepts.