Just because we all use them, doesn't mean we all understand them; Radio waves are a fundamental part of physics, yet it can be difficult to grasp exactly what they are. This video is an attempt at an introduction to conceptualizing radio waves. **Please note, we recognize that this video is a simplification and omits complexities and the mathematical treatment which the topic deserves. We may do future videos for those!
Nice, a succinct and to the point explanation of the EM wave. It’s fascinating how the self-propagating EM wave travels, and that its everywhere around us. Voyager-1 is now way outside our solar system and still the 2.1 GHz signal maintains integrity for daily communications.
If you have earned an amateur radio license, then surely you have at least a basic working knowledge of the physics of radio??
This is a nice physics video. The analogy of a field to a water cube is a bit confusing: some may interpret that as EM waves need an 'ether' as a medium (and of course that's not the case.) Also, taking on wave/particle duality is quite a lot to absorb. Stick with the waves, which is the title of the video anyway. For those who are interested in taking on intro physics videos, there are many : some, good, some not so good. Walter Lewin's videos are considered by many to be the best. These are my thoughts, based on teaching intro EM courses for many years at the college level. Note that I have not and am not making Zed editorial decisions, just providing helpful feedback. Your opinion may differ. 73 Chip W1YW
For those who might have an additional interest-- A video targeted to the intro level of " high school students and science teachers".. A video on wave/particle duality and the 'mystery of light'. The Mystery of Light - Walter Lewin - July 19, 2005 - YouTube 73 Chip W1YW
I know that for me, in some fields and topics, a working knowledge has not always equated to deeper understanding, or the ability to conceptualize. I've been able to use the formulas and solve the problems, but moving beyond prediction/computation to understanding can be tricky. Our hobby has a very diverse range of expertise levels and interests, so I put content together hoping that it may find an audience that it will assist. If nothing else, thinking about fundamental physics and considering what it is and how it works is not a bad way to spend a few minutes.
a lot depends on a persons ability to visualize without the aid of a computer or graphic /pictorial representation. for instance training in writing a plc/slc program has a specific structure once you learn how to write one you can observe an automated machine in operation and you can see the program in your mind. it takes a little training for most people but there are a few that just cant see it without running a computer or looking at a printout. looking at a radiation pattern for example! even after just a few samples viewed of the various styles, you can get a fairly close idea just by looking at an antenna ( maybe not exact but close enough to understand how it will react in its environment and what will affect it). it was a decent video but could have shown what the waves do striking an antenna vs reflecting off an object.
I've got the benefit of being an electrician and a lot of the training in transformer and motor/ generator theory comes into play with both emissions and induction. My training started in the navy and continued on through my apprenticeship. The electronic part through college courses. But I highly recommend anyone who wants to be a amateur radio operator that they should get good textbooks on basic electricity and electronics. Understanding how semiconductor work is a great help, but electronic engineering semiconductor is highly dependant on mathematics skills
I have always liked Einstein's explanation of radio: "You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat."
Great comment! (Some would say there is a cat. It belongs to a guy named Schrodinger. We just can't see it.) Jerry KG8ZQ
