Concept explainers
Radio waves and light are both
Explain the reason for the radio is receiving the signal behind the hill but one cannot see the transmitting antenna.
Answer to Problem 1Q
The size (wavelength) of the radio waves and hill is comparable so, wave is diffracted from the hill and radio receives signals while the size (wavelength) of the visible waves and hill is not comparable so it could not be diffracted and we cannot see antenna.
Explanation of Solution
Electromagnetic waves are the waves consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. There is a electromagnetic spectra consisting of electyromagnetic waves of different wavelengths. Radio and visible waves are one of them.
Radio waves have wavelength ranges from
The slight bending of light from the edge of the object is known as ‘Diffraction’. The light would be diffracted only when the size of the object and the light are comparable to each other.
Conclusion:
Thus, the size (wavelength) of the radio waves and hill is comparable so, wave is diffracted from the hill and radio receives signals while the size (wavelength) of the visible waves and hill is not comparable so it could not be diffracted and we cannot see antenna.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 35 Solutions
Modified Mastering Physics with Pearson eText -- Standalone Access Card -- for Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
University Physics Volume 1
Essential University Physics (3rd Edition)
Tutorials in Introductory Physics
Modern Physics
Physics: Principles with Applications
Life in the Universe (4th Edition)
- A Marconi antenna, used by most AM radio stations, consists of the top half of a Hertz antenna (also known as a half-wave antenna because its length is /2). The lower end of this Marconi (quarter-wave) antenna is connected to Earth ground, and the ground itself serves as the missing lower hall. What are the heights of the Marconi antennas for radio stations broadcasting at (a) 560 kHz and (b) 1 600 kHz?arrow_forwardCan a sound wave in air be polarized? Explain.arrow_forwardThe waves from a radio station can reach a home receiver by two paths. One is a straight-line path from transmitter to home, a distance of 30.0 km. The second is by reflection from the ionosphere (a layer of ionized air molecules high in the atmosphere). Assume this reflection takes place at a point midway between receiver and transmitter, the wavelength broadcast by the radio station is 350 m, and no phase change occurs on reflection. Find the minimum height of the ionospheric layer that could produce destructive interference between the direct and reflected beams.arrow_forward
- A microwave of an unknown wavelength is incident on a single slit of width 6 cm. The angular width of the central peak is found to be 25°. Find the wavelength.arrow_forwardWhich is true of diffraction? (7.6) (a) It occurs best when the slit width is less than the wavelength of a wave. (b) It depends on refraction. (c) It is caused by interference. (d) It does not occur for light.arrow_forwardFigure 24.26 shows the interference pattern of two radio antennas broadcasting the same signal. Explain how this is analogous to the interference pattern for sound produced by two speakers. Could this he used to make a directional antenna system that broadcasts preferentially in certain directions? Explain. Figure 24.26 An overhead view of two radio broadcast antennas sending the same signal, and the interference pattern they produce.arrow_forward
- Why do sound waves bend around everyday objects, whereas the bending of light is not generally observed?arrow_forwardTwo radio antennas separated by d = 3.00 102 cm. as shown in Figure P24.7, simultaneously broadcast identical signals at the same the signals. (a) If the car is at the position of the second maximum wavelength. A car travels due north along a straight line at position x = 1.00 103 m from the center point between the antennas and its radio receives the signal. (a) If the car is at the position of the second maximum after that at point O when it has traveled a distance of y = 4.00 102 m northward, what is the wavelength of the signals? (b) How much farther must the car travel from thus position to encounter the next minimum in reception? Hint: Do not use the small-angle approximation in this problem.arrow_forwardTwo vertical radio-transmitting antennas are separated by half the broadcast wavelength and are driven in phase with each other. In what horizontal directions are (a) the strongest and (b) the weakest signals radiated?arrow_forward
- An Introduction to Physical SciencePhysicsISBN:9781305079137Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar TorresPublisher:Cengage LearningPrinciples of Physics: A Calculus-Based TextPhysicsISBN:9781133104261Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningUniversity Physics Volume 3PhysicsISBN:9781938168185Author:William Moebs, Jeff SannyPublisher:OpenStax
- Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology ...PhysicsISBN:9781305116399Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. JewettPublisher:Cengage LearningCollege PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781305952300Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage LearningCollege PhysicsPhysicsISBN:9781285737027Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris VuillePublisher:Cengage Learning