Why is the ionosphere important to radio wave transmission?
Both FM and AM waves reflect off it.
AM waves reflect off it, but FM waves pass through it.
FM waves reflect off it, but AM waves pass through it.
Both AM and FM waves pass through it.
Both AM and FM waves reflect off the ionosphere.
The ionosphere is a layer of charged particles in the Earth's upper atmosphere that can reflect radio waves. This is important because it allows radio signals to be transmitted over long distances without relying on line-of-sight communication.
AM waves have a longer wavelength and are better at penetrating through obstacles, but they also tend to be absorbed by the ionosphere during the day. This is why AM radio stations change their broadcasting frequencies at night.
FM waves have a shorter wavelength and can be impacted by the ionosphere, causing interference or signal loss, but they generally travel further without losing clarity.
Overall, the ionosphere plays an important role in radio wave transmission, particularly for long-distance communication.