OMG. Is there no requirement to teach physics in high school anymore?
Even if they had this person might not know the difference.
Minnesota was ranked number 2 in public schools when I graduated in 1997 for math and science, and I think maybe history.
I had HP physics.
We really didn't learn much of anything about electromagnetic radiation. However in my electronics class (an elective) we learned a buttload off good stuff. I also learned practical math as opposed to meaningless exercises.
For reference, physical matter can have a small effect on the movement of RF waves, but gravity is the main force. And eventually all RF hits something it cant pass thru, turns into line current and if doesnt go to a circuit, becomes thermal energy.
Fun Fact: if that fan were malfunctioning in such a manner that it generated RF or magnetic fields, it could have a small effect on any radios in his room.