Radio Waves

• What are radio waves part of?

  The electromagnetic spectrum
• What is the wavelength and frequency of radio waves compared to other electromagnetic waves?

  They have the longest wavelength and lowest frequency
• What are radio waves made up of?

  Oscillating electric and magnetic fields
• How are radio waves generated?

  Using electricity in the form of alternating current
• What device is used to generate radio waves?

  A transmitter
• What does an oscilloscope do in the context of radio waves?

  It shows the frequency of the alternating current
• Why is frequency important in generating radio waves?

  It determines the frequency of the produced wave
• What device is used to detect radio waves?

  A receiver
• How does a receiver work with radio waves?

  It absorbs energy and generates another alternating current
• What is the relationship between the frequency of the generated wave and the frequency produced by the receiver?

  They are exactly the same
• How can the number 800 be communicated using radio waves?

  By generating a wave of 800 hertz frequency
• What are the main uses of radio waves?

  • Communication
  • Transmitting data
  • Broadcasting signals
• What are the three types of radio waves?

  1. Long wave
  2. Short wave
  3. Very short wave
• How far can long wave radio waves be transmitted?

  Huge distances without interaction
• Why can long wave radio waves travel such long distances?

  They diffract (bend) around the Earth's surface
• How do short wave radio signals travel long distances?

  They are reflected from the ionosphere
• What is one use of short wave radio signals?

  Sending data over short distances like Bluetooth
• What are very short radio waves used for?

  TV and FM radio
• Why might you not get a great radio signal in a car?

  Surrounding structures can block direct transmission
• What is the main takeaway from the topic of radio waves?

  Radio waves are essential for communication
• Define the ionosphere.

  An electrically charged layer in the earth's upper atmosphere
• What are long waves great for? (in terms of communication)

  Long range communication
• Describe briefly the step-by-step process of how radio waves are generated.

  • A device called a transmitter is connected to an oscilloscope
  • The oscilloscope allows us to see the frequency of the alternating current we are using
  • Once the radio waves have been generated, we can detect them again using a receiver
  • The receiver absorbs the energy of the radio waves and generates another alternating current - which is then displayed onto another oscilloscope
  • the frequency of the alternating current it produces is the same as the frequency we used to generate the radio wave in the first place
• When generating waves, what is the relation between the frequency of the radio waves and the frequency of the alternating current?

  • the frequency of the radio waves is equal to the frequency of the alternating current