Can Radio Waves Produce Electricity in a Large Coil of Wire?

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SUMMARY

Radio waves can indeed induce a current in a large coil of wire, with the potential to generate less than a nano-amp of current. This phenomenon is the foundational principle behind crystal radios, which operate without a battery when equipped with sufficiently large antennas. The efficiency of this process is directly related to the size of the coil and the strength of the radio waves.

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daniel_i_l
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Let's say that you make a huge (radius of a few meters) coil of wire. Will radio waves cause a current to run through it? If so then how much?
Thanks.
 
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Yes current will be induced in the coil, probably less then a nano-amp.
 
This is how old crystal radios work. You don't need a battery to run them if the antenna is big enough.
 

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