What type of radiation are radio signals?

Radio signals are classified as non-ionizing radiation, which means they have insufficient energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms or molecules. This type of radiation includes electromagnetic waves with frequencies that range from extremely low frequencies (ELF) to microwave frequencies, which are part of the radio spectrum.

Non-ionizing radiation is typically associated with longer wavelengths and lower energies than ionizing radiation (like gamma and alpha radiation), which can remove electrons and potentially cause damage to biological tissues. Because radio waves are essential for communication technologies such as radio, television, and mobile phones, understanding their non-ionizing nature is important for assessing their health impacts and regulatory standards. This distinguishes them clearly from other forms of radiation that can be harmful due to their ability to ionize atoms.