system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Eli5 how do faraday cages block electromagnetic waves?
gpt
The waves we use to transmit information are typically quite large, usually from a few centimetres to a few metres. These are called microwaves or radio waves.

Metals pick up these waves and conduct them, that’s how antennas work.

Whilst you could block these signals with a metal box, a cage would be just as effective as you’re dealing with large waves that can’t get through the gaps.

For example, your microwave glass is just ordinary glass, the metal grid embedded in the glass is what stops the microwaves getting out and cooking your face off as you watch your food heat up.

However, if you’re dealing with high energy waves like UV, X-Rays and Gamma Rays, a Faraday cage won’t suffice as these have very tiny wavelengths, you need thick sheets of a very dense metal, like lead, to protect from these.