Radio Waves

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?


How do short wave radio signals travel long distances?


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

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