Science Buzz Cafe # 466 “Zapped” How Dangerous Is Electromagnetic Radiation? – Warren Wiscombe, PhD

Two books titled “Zapped” tell remarkably different stories, although both are about electromagnetic (EM) radiation.  Warren will present the most basic facts about EM radiation and also discuss, “What is the real nature of science?”

1) What is electromagnetic radiation?
2) How much energy does a quantum of EM radiation have as a function of wavelength?
3) How does EM radiation interact with matter (what wavelengths can cause DNA damage)
4) What does the one over r-squared law have to do with anything?

In the end he will recommend, as the Greeks did, moderation in all things.

Warren Wiscombe has a BS in Physics from MIT and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Caltech.  Beginning in 1971, he spent his career working on radiative transfer aspects of climate with a focus on radiation through clouds and aerosols. From 1983 till retiring in 2013 Warren worked at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.  His core background is in electro magnetic radiation spanning wavelengths from UV to radio.