1. Questions

physics

Radio waves are able to diffract readily around buildings, as anybody with a portable radio receiver can verify. However, light waves, which are also electromagnetic waves, undergo no discernible diffraction around buildings. Why not?

  1. 👍
  2. 👎
  3. 👁
Anonymous

  1. diffraction is noticable for long wave, not for short waves.

    1. 👍
    2. 👎
    👤
    bobpursley

  2. Here are few additional comments to Bob Pursley's correct answer

    Waves spread sideways a distance x beyond edges of objects by a characteristic distance
    y = sqrt(wavelength*X)
    This is called Fresnel diffraction

    There is another type of diffraction in the "far field" past objects of size D that block waves. It is called Fraunhofer diffraction and has a characteristic spread angle
    theta = wavelength/D

    1. 👍
    2. 👎
    drwls

Respond to this Question

First Name

Your Response

Similar Questions

  1. chemistry

    Radio waves travel at the speed of light which is 3.00 x 108 m/s. How many minutes does it take for a radio message to reach Earth from Saturn if Saturn is 7.9 x 108 km from Earth?

  2. Physics 11

    An FM radio station transmits radio signals that have a wavelength of 3.2m. Where would you have to adjust your tuner in order to pick up its music? Note: FM waves are measured in MHZ I have no idea where to go with this... Thank

  3. Science

    ENHANCING COMMUNICATION WITH WAVES 1. Which of the following electro magnetic waves is not used for communication? A. Gamma rays *** B. microwaves C. Infrared waves D. Radio waves 2. When you speak into a cell phone, your sound

  4. Physics

    Radio amateurs are permitted to communicate on the "10 meter band." What frequency of radio waves corresponds to a wavelengthy of 20m? (The speed of radio wave is 3.00 x 10(8)m/s). Can you help me with setting up the formula?

  1. Introduction to Graphic Design A

    Hello! Thanks for checking my question out! ____ Mia’s clock radio communicates the time, plays the radio, and sounds the alarm at a set time, but Mia has trouble seeing the numbers on the clock at night because they are not

  2. college physics

    FM radio waves have frequencies between 80.3 and 108 MHz. Determine the range of wavelengths for these waves.

  3. Physics repost

    FM radio stations use radio waves with frequencies from 88.0 to 108 MHz to broadcast their signals. Assuming that the inductance has a value of 4.60 x 10^-7 H, determine the range of capacitance values that are needed so the

  4. chemistry

    Suppose a popular FM radio station broadcasts radio waves with a frequency of 93. MHz. Calculate the wavelength of these radio waves. Round your answer to 2 significant digits.

  1. physics

    e AM and FM radio waves are transverse waves consisting of electric and magnetic disturbances traveling at a speed of 3.00 x 10 8 m/s. A station broadcasts an AM radio wave whose frequency is 1230 x 10 3 Hz. (1230 kHz on the dial)

  2. Physical Science

    QUESTION---Which waves have wavelengths longer than those of visible light? MY ANSWER--Infrared light, microwaves and radio waves have wavelengths longer than visible light. Radio waves have the longest wavelength. Are there any

  3. Science

    I have several questions 4: The image above shows particles in a medium. Which of the following shows the best conditions for a sound wave to travel? a, b, c, d----My answer is C 12. Which letter shows the type of wave that can be

  4. science

    Certain high-frequency radiations are likely to cause harm to astronauts landing on Mars. A detector for which type of electromagnetic radiation is most suitable to study this harmful radiation on Mars? I think it is radio waves

You can view more similar questions or ask a new question.