Does an LC Circuit Radiate Energy?

AI Thread Summary
An LC circuit does radiate energy, particularly in the context of radio transmitters and receivers, where the aerial acts as a capacitor designed to emit radio waves. While theoretical models assume no energy loss during vibration, real circuits experience resistance and other losses that lead to radiation. The construction of capacitors in these circuits involves generating electric fields that induce magnetic fields, contributing to energy radiation. Practical LC circuits differ from idealized versions, as they always have some physical size, resulting in unavoidable radiation. Thus, even without antennas, real LC circuits will radiate energy.
paweld
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I wonder if LC curcit radiates energy? Probalby not because according
to equations energy is not lost during its vibration. But I heard it was used
in very simpe radio receivers. Is it true.
 
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An LC circuit is the basis of most radio transmitters and receivers. Simple and otherwise.

Essentially, the aerial of a radio is the capacitor in an LC circuit specially designed so that it loses energy producing radio waves.

In the usual physics and electronics studies of reactive and resonant circuits, the parts are assumed to be designed to avoid losses.
 
Thanks.

AJ Bentley said:
Essentially, the aerial of a radio is the capacitor in an LC circuit specially designed so that it loses energy producing radio waves.
Do you know any details about construction of such capacitors (probably they generate
electric field outside the area between plates and this induce magnetic field and so on).
 
paweld said:
Do you know any details about construction of such capacitors

Go take a look on the roof of any house in your neighbourhood. Almost every house has a TV aerial. :smile:
 
Interesting :)
 
Keep in mind, also, that any real circuit will have resistance as well. You can usually account for losses to radiation by factoring them into effective resistance.
 
Also, the difference between LC circuits on paper and in real life is that the paper circuit is assumed to be of zero physical size so that capacitors have no inductance and inductors have no capacitance. Real LC circuits will always radiate even without antennas.
 
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