How High Must Charged Particles Be for Radio Wave Interference?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the minimum height of a layer of charged particles in the atmosphere that causes destructive interference for radio waves of frequency 8.00 x 10^2 kHz, received 12 km from the transmitter. The wavelength has been determined to be 375 m, but the user is uncertain about the next steps to find the height. Participants suggest using the equation x/L = lambda/d to assist in solving the problem. The expected answer for the height is between 1 and 2. Clarification and guidance on the application of the relevant equations are sought to resolve the issue.
patriots1049
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


An aircraft causes a horizontal layer of charged particles to be formed in the atmosphere. Radio waves are relected without phase from this layer. Radio waves of frequency 8.00 x 10^2 kHz are received at a location 12 km from the transmitter. What is the minimum height of the layer of particles if radio reception fades due to destructive interference between the direct beam and the reflected beam?


Homework Equations



lamba = v/f

The Attempt at a Solution



I have found a wavelength of 375 m. Now I'm not sure what to do from here. The answer is supposed to be between 1 and 2. Can someone help me get past this road block?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
patriots1049 said:

Homework Statement


An aircraft causes a horizontal layer of charged particles to be formed in the atmosphere. Radio waves are relected without phase from this layer. Radio waves of frequency 8.00 x 10^2 kHz are recerved at a location 12 km from the transmitter. What is the minimum height of the layer of particles if radio reception fades due to destructive interference between the direct beam and the reflected beam?


Homework Equations



lamba = v/f

The Attempt at a Solution



I have found a wavelength of 375 m. Now I'm not sure what to do from here. The answer is supposed to be between 1 and 2. Can someone help me get past this road block?

Ah yes, quite a familiar problem. The workings should not be too hard. I believe that the equation is x/L=lambda/d, if I'm not mistaken, unless that is a predefined equation designated by your instructor specifically for this problem...
 
Can someone assist me in solving this problem?
 
I wish I could.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Do Radio Transmitters cause diffraction?
Replies
11
Views
2K
How Does Airplane Reflection Affect TV Signal Interference?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Understanding Radio Waves & Oxygen Absorption at 60GHz
Replies
1
Views
2K
Constructive Interference in Coherent Antenna Arrays
Replies
6
Views
5K
Sound Wave Interference Problem
Replies
5
Views
2K
Constructive or destructive interference- Car radio
Replies
7
Views
4K
Wave Interference at Radio Station Antennas
Replies
4
Views
5K
How do different path differences affect interference in sound waves?
Replies
7
Views
5K
How Do Antenna Positions Affect Radio Wave Interference?
Replies
1
Views
6K
Is Your House on a Node or an Antinode for Radio Waves?
Replies
4
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top