Producing and Absorbing Radio Waves (GCSE Physics)

Producing and Absorbing Radio Waves

Radio Waves

Producing Radio Waves

• Radio waves are produced by oscillations. Similar to how sound waves are produced by oscillations in the air, radio waves are also produced by oscillations. However, these oscillations are not produced in the air.
• The oscillations occur in electrical circuits. Unlike sound waves, the oscillations that produce radio waves are formed in electrical circuits. These electrical disturbances will lead to the creation of radio waves.

Absorbing Radio Waves

• Radio waves can create an alternating current. When radio waves are absorbed, they can create an alternating current. This is because radio waves are formed by the oscillations in electric circuits.
• The alternating current can be linked to frequency. The alternating current created can be linked back to the frequency of the radio wave itself. Usually, the alternating current have the same frequency as the radio wave that created it.
• Radio waves can cause more radio waves. Since the alternating current will have the same frequency as the radio waves, this means that radio waves can cause more waves to occur. The alternating current will help to produce oscillations, which will in turn produced radio waves.