Re: pinhole wave question

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From: Tucker Hiatt (hiattu00@usfca.edu)
Date: Sat Apr 27 2002 - 17:57:44 PDT 

Message-Id: <a05100311b8f0f6c11f63@[12.236.121.220]>
Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002 17:57:44 -0700
From: Tucker Hiatt <hiattu00@usfca.edu>
Subject: Re: pinhole wave question

Here's another way of thinking about the problem of increasing radio
wave power without increasing wave frequency:

Since radio wave power is a function of frequency AND amplitude,
increase the amplitude of the waves. How? Drive the electrons in
the transmitting radio antenna "harder" (i.e. with greater amplitude
of oscillation), not more frequently.

Paul D's earlier answer ("send more photons") used the particle model
of electromagnetic radiation. My answer uses the wave model. The
fun begins when you try to blend the two models. ;-)

- Tucker

Geoff Ruth wrote:
> I was in a physics class today that came up with a good question I
> couldn't figure out.
>
> Radio waves have a certain amount of energy. But radio stations build
> transmitters that can broadcast with different powers -- or energies.
> So how can a radio station broadcast at a given radio frequency while
> simultaneously changing the energ of those wavelengths?
>
> I feel like I should be able to figure this out, but I can't. 

-- 
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Tucker Hiatt, Director
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