Final answer:
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) measures the RF energy absorbed by the body when using a cell phone. The FCC states a cell phone's SAR must be under 1.6 watts per kilogram. Radiation absorbed by tissue is also measured in rads and grays (Gy), with 1 rad equating to 0.01 J/kg and 1 Gy to 1 J/kg.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is a measure used to quantify the amount of radio frequency (RF) energy absorbed by a user's body when using devices like cell phones. Various cell phone models emit different levels of RF energy, and each has a SAR value associated with it. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that the SAR level for cell phones must not exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram for the device to be certified for sale. Studies and tables, such as Table 8.1, provide data on the highest SAR levels for different phone models.
When it comes to evaluating the overall exposure to radiation from devices, other units like the rad and the gray (Gy) are also used. The rad is defined as 0.01 Joule of energy absorbed per kilogram of matter, while 1 gray amounts to 1 Joule per kilogram. These measurements are important for understanding the amount of radiation a biological tissue will absorb and possible health implications due to this exposure.
Furthermore, statistics such as a 98 percent confidence interval estimate for the true SAR mean provide useful information about the typical SAR values for a population of devices. To ensure user safety, constant monitoring and regulation of these SAR values are essential.