How Do Radio Waves Cause Electron Movement in Antennas?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the mechanisms by which radio waves induce electron movement in antennas, focusing on the interaction of electric and magnetic fields and their effects on electron behavior. Participants explore theoretical aspects and implications of electromagnetic wave properties in the context of antenna function.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the specific mechanism by which radio waves cause electron movement in antennas, questioning the nature of the forces involved.
  • Another participant references an article that describes how oscillating electric and magnetic fields exert forces on electrons, leading to oscillating currents in the antenna.
  • Concerns are raised about whether the perpendicular nature of the electric and magnetic fields results in cancellation of forces acting on electrons.
  • Some participants assert that it is primarily the electric field that causes electron movement, noting that stationary electrons are not influenced by magnetic fields.
  • There is a suggestion that the situation is more complex due to the dynamic nature of the electric and magnetic fields in a receiving antenna.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the roles of electric and magnetic fields in inducing electron movement, with no consensus reached on the exact mechanisms at play.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the interaction of electric and magnetic fields without resolving the implications of their perpendicular arrangement or the dynamic behavior of electrons in antennas.

FilipLand
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Hi!

What exactly makes electrons in the antenna move to generate an induced current which then can be encoded?

Is it radio waves that hits the antenna and makes the electrons move? If so, why/how? :)

All I get from this link is that "the radio waves makes the electrons wiggling back and forth", but how? http://www.explainthatstuff.com/radio.html
 
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Thank you!
I found the same thing here "during reception, the oscillating electric and magnetic fields of an incoming radio wave exert force on the electrons in the antenna elements, causing them to move back and forth, creating oscillating currents in the antenna."

A radio wave is a electromagnetic wave, does not the force from the magnetic field and the electric field (acting on an electron in the antenna) cancel each other out? Because the B and E-field is perpendicular right?
 
FilipLand said:
Thank you!
I found the same thing here "during reception, the oscillating electric and magnetic fields of an incoming radio wave exert force on the electrons in the antenna elements, causing them to move back and forth, creating oscillating currents in the antenna."

A radio wave is a electromagnetic wave, does not the force from the magnetic field and the electric field (acting on an electron in the antenna) cancel each other out? Because the B and E-field is perpendicular right?
FilipLand said:
Thank you!
I found the same thing here "during reception, the oscillating electric and magnetic fields of an incoming radio wave exert force on the electrons in the antenna elements, causing them to move back and forth, creating oscillating currents in the antenna."

A radio wave is a electromagnetic wave, does not the force from the magnetic field and the electric field (acting on an electron in the antenna) cancel each other out? Because the B and E-field is perpendicular right?
My view is that it is the electric field which causes the electrons to move and stationery electrons are not moved by a magnetic field.
The voltage induced on a short conductor can be found by multiplying its length by the incoming E-field.
.
 
FilipLand said:
A radio wave is a electromagnetic wave, does not the force from the magnetic field and the electric field (acting on an electron in the antenna) cancel each other out? Because the B and E-field is perpendicular right?

The E and B fields are perpendicular to each other, but that doesn't cancel out the force on the electrons.

tech99 said:
My view is that it is the electric field which causes the electrons to move and stationery electrons are not moved by a magnetic field.
The voltage induced on a short conductor can be found by multiplying its length by the incoming E-field.

Perhaps, but the electrons are not stationary in an antenna receiving a signal. The electric and magnetic fields aren't static either, so you really have a complicated situation.
 
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