Hi,I want to ask how can i refract or reflect radio wave

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of radio waves, specifically their ability to refract or reflect when interacting with different materials, such as walls or glass. Participants explore the implications of these interactions on the strength of Wi-Fi signals and the underlying physics principles involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why radio waves can pass through walls and glass, suggesting that this behavior contradicts what is taught about electromagnetic waves refracting or reflecting at medium boundaries.
  • Another participant mentions that the index of refraction is not constant across all frequencies, proposing that for radio waves, the index for materials like wood and Sheetrock may be similar to air, leading to minimal reflection or refraction.
  • A different perspective highlights that all electromagnetic waves are refracted or diffracted in dielectric media, but the extent varies with frequency and polarization, noting that radio waves, being long, are affected very little.
  • One participant points out that the weakening of Wi-Fi signals at a distance is primarily due to the intensity of the waves decreasing with distance, rather than significant reflection or refraction.
  • There is mention of modulation techniques and the differences between traditional physics education and current scientific understanding, suggesting that practical applications may diverge from textbook explanations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the behavior of radio waves in various materials, with some asserting minimal refraction or reflection while others emphasize the complexities of wave interactions in different media. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact mechanisms and implications of these interactions.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the assumptions made about the behavior of radio waves, particularly regarding the index of refraction and the effects of distance on signal strength. The discussion also touches on the complexities of wave behavior that may not align with traditional educational frameworks.

Martin18
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Hi,
I want to ask how can i refract or reflect radio wave.
I know it can go trough my wall or glass in window(like wi-fi). But why does that happen? According to what we learned on physics lectures electromagnetic wave must refract or reflect when it goes from one optical medium to another. But later my teacher said that radio wave can pass trough wall without refraction or reflection.But my wi-fi signal is weaker when I'm sitting in room far away from router, so some part must be reflected...

Why does this happen ? OR would it be possible to reflect or refract my wi-fi signal with huuuuge wall or huuge mass of glass ? And what medium refract/reflect radio waves ?

Thanks

(This is not homework)
 
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index of refraction is not constant over all frequencies. It may be that the index of refraction for wood and Sheetrock for a radio wave is almost identical to air and it would pass through with almost no reflection of refraction.

The fact that your wifi signal is weaker when you're far away from the router is more due to the intensity of the waves that drop off as the distance between you and the router antenna squared.
 


As em waves are transmitted by atomic scattering ALL waves are refracted or diffracted in a dielectric medium, some very slightly, as in a diffuse plasma (ion cloud) and some almost completely absorbed. Different frequencies are slowed differently (prism), - (by polarisation mode dispersal - PMD) so 'refract' differently, as do different polarisations (look up 'birefringence' for materials with different refraction co-efficients subject to polarity (Frenel's 'n').
Radio waves are very long so are very little affected, the ARE however slightly refracted. Modulation of frequncies (FM - normally via a crystal oscillator) reverts the received signal to that transmitted, but digital methodology is now taking over.
But remember, the science you learn to pass exams is different to cutting edge reality, so ensure you also put down what the old textbooks say.
 

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