Is matter considered part of the electromagnetic spectrum?

Question

I know that matter emits and absorbs radiation, as shown by the standard model in detail. However, I am taught that matter itself acts as a wave, different waves corresponding to different particles. Is there a 'matter spectrum' all it's own or can it be considered an extension of the electromagnetic spectrum? (and if so, where on the map is it?)

Answer 1

Good question indeed.

Matter as observed in its particle state may not be part of the electromagnetic spectrum, but in its wave state it is not actual matter anymore, and so yes, it is then located in the spectrum according to the wave frequency presented (which may vary all the way along the map).

There may not be such thing as matter spectrum, but surely there are properties of matter which indicate its inherent tendencies in relation to waves, such as the nature of its radioative emissions and even the probability of manifesting a particular wave frequency, correspondent to its matter state (the frequency within matter).

Material science has a long way to go in order to develop instruments and conditions of observation subtle enough to detect and evaluate that in detail, but actually the intuitive scientists, such as the yogis or meditators, have been doing the same observation without the use of external instruments, but through the development of their intuition.

They even have a classification of the properties of matter according to its state and tendencies, which in simplified way is divided in three characteristic patterns:
+ static (in which the object tends to remain inert, to desintegrate or to 'die out', that is, to have its integrative structure broken)
+ mutative (here the objects' characteristics cause movement, change, inducing energy exchange and transformation of structure and / or properties)
+ sentient (this is the quality of subtle, aesthetic and life inducing organization of matter and energy).

According to the observation of the yogis, through their developed intuitive sense and perception, these properties are mixed in different degrees in all objects of the universe -- as matter or energy, as inanimate objects or as animated living beings -- but generally there is one of the three characteristics predominant at a given time.

For example, the 5 fundamental factors of the physical world are listed in ascending order according to their properties, from the more static, passing through the mutative, to the more sentient: solid factor, liquid, luminous, gaseous and etherial factor. The organization and combination of these factors determine the conditions for the absence or presence of life.

Through this classification they developed innumerous scientific systems such as diet according to the quality of the food, medicine, yogic lifestyle, arts, etc. In fact, they say that the quality of our whole life is determined by the way we understand and interact with these three properties within us and in all the things of the universe. These qualities are part of all things manifested in the universe, from the most dense matter to waves and thoughts.

According to the yogic science, the more sentient and the less static qualitites we develop and live with, keeping some degree of balance and harmonious interaction between these 3 qualities, the closer we are to manifest the full potential of all things and of our own existence.

Answer 2

When we talk about spectrum, we do so in terms of wavelength or equivalently frequency. This follows from L = ct; where L is wavelength, c is light speed (EM waves travel at c), and t is the period (the time to travel one wavelength).

Frequency f = 1/t in cycles per second, a cycle is equivalent to one wavelength. So we have L/c = t and f = 1/t = c/L, which shows why frequency and wavelength are Lf = c. That is, as we raise frequency, the wavelength has to shorten to keep the multiple equal to the speed of light.

Now this is all for EM waves, which travel at light speed. Matter is another matter (pun intended). It clearly does not travel at the speed of light; in fact, it is limited to something less than c by the theory of relativity. Therefore, it cannot be considered a part of the EM spectrum.

However, a gent named DeBroglie has posited that matter also has wave properties. And anything with wave-like properties can be drawn out with a spectrum based on the rank order of the wave frequencies. So, if you believe DeBroglie, then there is indeed a matter spectrum. However, to a point, no one has yet observed or measured the matter waves. [See source.]

Answer 3

No. Radio waves, visible light, X-rays, and all the other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are fundamentally the same thing, electromagnetic radiation.

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is just a name that scientists give a bunch of types of radiation when they want to talk about them as a group. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes-- visible light that comes from a lamp in your house or radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of electromagnetic radiation. Other examples of EM radiation are microwaves, infrared and ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma-rays. Hotter, more energetic objects and events create higher energy radiation than cool objects. Only extremely hot objects or particles moving at very high velocities can create high-energy radiation like X-rays and gamma-rays.

Answer 4

No. The elecromagnetic spectrum is essentially the spectrum of the particle called the photon. Each different fundamental particle would have a separate spectrum with different wavelengths corresponding to different momenta. So, the would be one spectrum for electrons (with higher frequency corresponding to higher momentum and hence higher energy) and a different spectrum for neutrinos and still a different one formuons, etc.

Answer 5

No, matter is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum itself. Only energy is part of the EM spectrum.

Answer 6

No, matter has mass, it can't be part of the spectrum of light.