Why is it that Inductive coupling favors low frequency energy sources?

Question

I know that LF and HF transponders (RFID) use "inductive coupling" via the magnetic field, and UHF and microwave transponders (RFID) use "capacitive coupling" via the electric field, typically. I have heard of technology that uses a HF-UHF hybrid to overcome the difficulties that UHF technology has penetrating liquids and metals. However, I am not aware how such a technology would work, mostly because I do not know the physical reason behind the rule of thumb (LF, HF - magnetic field / UHF, microwave - electric field). My question is thus "why are magnetic fields capable of penetrating metals and liquids, when electric fields are not, and why do magnetic field applications have shorter ranges (near-field) than electric field applications (far-field)?"

Answer 1

Electric and magnetic fields exist independently only in ideal direct current or static conditions. At frequencies other than 0, electric and magnetic fields are inextricably linked.
Inductive reactance displays a linear increase with frequency. This relation holds for both discrete components and space.
Capacitive reactance is inversely proportional to frequency. This relation also holds for both discrete components and space.
At low frequencies inductive reactance is low while capacitive reactance is high. At high frequencies inductive reactance is high and capacitive reactance is low. Hence the "favoring" of sources.
The inverse relationship between permeability and permittivity (με = c^2 for any medium) is, as far as I know empirically determined. Quantum mechanics might provide some insight as to why this is so.
The ratio of electric to magnetic field strength in an electromagnetic wave is fixed at √(μ/ε) in a given medium (equaling 376.73 in vacuum), which gives the illusion of near-field, far-field ranges. Both fields obey the inverse square law.