Electromagnetism
is a large, encompassing theory, so it’s no wonder that many people do
not understand it because we cannot see it, feel it or even taste it.
A basic book on it will almost immediately dive into calculus and advanced
mathematics. However there is a lot of information pertained to electromagnetism
that a ghost hunter should know about.
Visible light is a complex phenomenon that is classically explained with
a simple model based on propagating rays and wavefronts. Electromagnetic
radiation, the larger family of wave-like phenomena to which visible light
belongs (also known as radiant energy), is the primary vehicle through
which energy travels through space. The mechanisms by which visible light
is emitted or absorbed by substances, and how it predictably reacts under
varying conditions as it travels through space and the atmosphere, is
the basis behind what colors our universe.
The
term "electromagnetic radiation" is based on the characteristic
electric and magnetic properties common to all forms of this wave-like
energy, as manifested by the generation of both electrical and magnetic
oscillating fields. Visible light represents only a small portion
of the entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, which extends
from high-frequency cosmic and gamma rays through X-rays, ultraviolet
light, infrared radiation, and microwaves, down to very low frequency
long-wavelength radio waves.
An electromagnetic wave moves or propagates in a direction that
is at right angles to the vibrations of both the electric and magnetic
oscillating field vectors, carrying energy from its radiation source
to an undetermined final destination. The two fields are mutually
perpendicular. By convention, and to simplify illustrations, the
vectors representing the electric and magnetic oscillating fields
of electromagnetic waves are often omitted, although they are understood
to still exist.
Every
form of electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, oscillates
in a periodic fashion with peaks and valleys, and displays a characteristic
amplitude, wavelength, and frequency that together define the direction,
energy, and intensity of the radiation.
The standard unit of measure for all electromagnetic radiation is
the magnitude of the wavelength (in a vacuum), which is usually
reported in terms of nanometers for the visible light portion of
the spectrum. Each nanometer represents one-thousandth of a micrometer,
and is measured by the distance between two successive peaks (see
Figure 2). The corresponding frequency of the radiation wave, the
number of sinusoidal cycles (oscillations or complete wavelengths)
that pass a given point per second, is proportional to the reciprocal
of the wavelength. Frequency is usually measured in Hertz (Hz) or
cycles per second (cps). Thus, longer wavelengths correspond to
lower frequency radiation and shorter wavelengths correspond to
higher frequency radiation.
Visible
light displays wave-like properties, but it also exhibits particle-like
properties that are manifested by entities that possess energy and
momentum (but no mass), which are referred to as photons.
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The atom
is the source of all forms of electromagnetic radiation, whether
visible or invisible. Higher energy forms of radiation, such as
gamma waves and X-rays, are produced by events that occur to disrupt
the nuclear stability of the atom. Radiation having lower energy,
such as ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light, as well as radio
and microwaves, originate from the electron clouds that surround
the nucleus.
These
forms of radiation occur due to fact that electrons moving in orbits around
the nucleus of an atom are arranged in different energy levels within
their probability distribution functions. Many of the electrons can absorb
additional energy from external sources of electromagnetic radiation (see
Figure 3), which results in their promotion to an inherently unstable
higher energy level.
Eventually, the electron loses the extra energy by emitting electromagnetic
radiation of lower energy and, in doing so, the electron falls back into
its original and stable energy level. The energy of the emitted radiation
equals the energy that was originally absorbed by the electron minus other
small quantities of energy lost through a number of secondary processes.
Electromagnetic radiation energy levels can vary to a significant degree
depending upon the energy of source electrons or nuclei.
There
are two general types of Electromagnetism, AC (alternating current) and
DC (direct current). Understanding the difference between these two types
is very vital because electromagnetic fields, like electricity, can be
AC or DC.
Alternating current or AC electricity is the type of electricity commonly
used in homes and businesses throughout the world. While the flow of electrons
through a wire in direct current (DC) electricity is continuous in one
direction, the current in AC electricity alternates in direction. The
back-and-forth motion occurs between 50 and 60 times per second, depending
on the electrical system of the country. AC is created by an AC electric
generator, which determines the frequency. What is special about AC electricity
is that the voltage in can be readily changed, thus making it more suitable
for long-distance transmission than DC electricity. But also, AC can employ
capacitors and inductors in electronic circuitry, allowing for a wide
range of applications. AC electricity was proven to be better for supplying
electricity than DC, primarily because the voltages can be transformed.
The important thing to remember with AC electricity and electromagnetic
fields is that they are man made in nature. They do not exist naturally.
Direct current or DC electricity is the continuous movement of electrons
from an area of negative (-) charges to an area of positive (+) charges
through a conducting material such as a metal wire. Whereas static electricity
sparks consist of the sudden movement of electrons from a negative to
positive surface, DC electricity is the continuous movement of the electrons
through a wire.
A
DC circuit is necessary to allow the current or steam of electrons to
flow. Such a circuit consists of a source of electrical energy (such as
a battery) and a conducting wire running from the positive end of the
source to the negative terminal. Electrical devices may be included in
the circuit. DC electricity in a circuit consists of voltage, current
and resistance. The flow of DC electricity is similar to the flow of water
through a hose.
The earth produces electromagnetic fields, mainly in the form of static
fields, similar to the fields generated by DC electricity. Electric fields
are produced by air turbulence and other atmospheric activity. The earth's
magnetic field of about 500 mg is thought to be produced by electric currents
flowing deep within the earth's core. Because these fields are static
rather than alternating, they do not induce currents in stationary objects
as do fields associated with alternating current. Such static fields can
induce currents in moving and rotating objects.
Most of us, aka ghost hunters will tell you that ghosts are believed to
emit some kind of electromagnetic field, so called EMF. However, when
asked why they believe this, many cannot give a good scientific answer
because When it comes to using EMF detectors, may folks have no clue on
how to use them properly or the ability to determine man-made sources
such as (AC), which is alternating current, from natural ones (DC), which
is direct current.
The
problem is amplified by the fact that most meters are calibrated at 60Hz
AC, the same frequency as household wiring and other man-made electrical
systems. They were not designed for what we are using them for, such as
paranormal research.
So why are ghost hunters concerned about electromagnetic fields to begin
with?
We must first take a look at the ghost in the human machine, the conscious
of the mind. Professor McFadden from the School of Biomedical and Life
Sciences at the University of Surrey in the UK believes our conscious
mind could be an electromagnetic field. His theory may solve many previously
intractable problems of consciousness and could have profound implications
for our concepts of mind, spirituality and even life and death.
There are wide differences in the concepts of consciousness,
which are prevalent among biologists, psychologists, and sociologists.
The threefold meaning of consciousness comes from the Latin word 'con-scio':
a) to cut, b) to make a distinction and c) to know.
There are three different ways to know the difference
-- 'con-scientia':
1) Through genetic bio-reactive knowledge,
2) Through personal self-reflexive knowledge, and,
3) Through social, consensually validated knowledge.
Most people consider "mind" to be all
the conscious things that we are aware of. However this is not quite accurate.
The majority of mental activity occurs without awareness. Actions such
as peddling a bicycle or walking can become as automatic as breathing.
The biggest puzzle in neuroscience is how the brain activity that we're
aware of (consciousness) differs from the brain activity of all of those
unconscious actions.
The
human brain is a symphony of electromagnetic signals, but science has
had trouble finding the conductor of the symphony. One of the problems
that neurologists have with consciousness is called the binding problem.
The best way to explain the binding problem is to use the analogy of a
tree. A tree seems to contain thousands of leaves, all of which are contained
on several branches. Neurobiology tells us that the information contained
in the mind (all the leaves) is dissected and scattered among millions
of widely separated neurons. The binding problem is encountered when science
tries to explain where in the brain all those leaves are stuck together
to form the conscious impression of a whole tree.
How
does our brain bind information to generate consciousness? The data does
not seem to add up and our symphony conductor is once again missing.
Through his research, Professor McFadden realized
that every time a nerve fires, the electrical activity sends a signal
to the brain's electromagnetic field. However, unlike solitary nerve signals,
information that reaches the brain's electromagnetic field is automatically
bound together with all the other signals in the brain.
The
brain's electromagnetic field does the binding that is characteristic
of consciousness. Conscious information processing is associated with
the EM component of ultra low frequency (ULF) brainwaves in either:
a)
Dialectically "denser" parts of the brain in the normal awake
state of consciousness; or
b) a gaseous ionic structure in the vicinity of the mind.
This is why we aka ghost hunters look at EM fields.
It is the basis of life itself (a great book on the subject that I'd recommend
for ghost hunters is “The electromagnetic origins of life" by Dr.
Becker). The brain's EM field is the only possible thing that could survive
bodily death.
EEG
and the brain's state
EEG (Electroencephalography) technology is used to measure brain's electrical
vibrations from the surface of the scalp. The resulting EEG pattern will
contain frequency elements mainly below 30Hz. The frequencies are categorized
into four states as follows:
Delta 0.5Hz - 4Hz high (up to 200uV) Deep sleep
Theta 4Hz - 8Hz low (5uV - 20uV) Drowsiness (also first stage of sleep)
Alpha 8Hz - 14Hz high (up to 200uV) Relaxed but alert
Beta 14Hz - 30Hz low (less than 10uV) Highly alert and focused
The dominant frequency in the EEG pattern determines what is called the
current state of the brain. If the amplitude of the alpha range frequencies
is highest, the brain is said to be in the alpha stage. Note that other
frequencies still occur; it is not meaningful to give any exact frequency
your brain is "operating on."
So
what happens at death? Using the first law of thermodynamics there are
several possibilities. First, all that energy could transform into heat
and bleed out of the skull. That would also mean no afterlife, much less
any possibility for ghosts. Fortunately, there are other possibilities.
The EM field could also change frequency or polarity. Interestingly enough
there is some data out there that suggests that the mind goes into theta
waves just before death, which gives us a possibility of ghosts.
Using what data we have from neurology, we can
assume that the frequency change could not exceed much more than 40Hz
or so. The bottom line is that we are looking for low frequency DC EM
fields. These types of fields are what we need to take a serious look
at. The biggest problem with EMF detectors is that they are not giving
you the most vital piece of information of the EM field, its FREQUENCY!
They
can only give you the power associated with a field. There is an instrument
that can give you both power levels and frequency. It's a laptop computer.
We have a program from Pico technology that transforms your laptop into
a spectrum analyzer. Using the proper coil or antenna, so can quickly
tell if a field is manmade or not and record the data from the field onto
the hard drive of the laptop.
Here
is a link to a news piece we did awhile back. Towards the end of it
you can see Bob using the laptop for this purpose.
EMF detectors alone are worthless tools. Tthey are not going to provide you with the data necessary
to prove a theory. Why? Proceed to Part 2.
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