How to Adjust Frequency of EM Wave

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SUMMARY

The frequency of an electromagnetic (EM) wave is determined primarily by the oscillator or generator producing it, not directly by the current or voltage. In household AC systems, the frequency is typically 60Hz or 50Hz, which corresponds to the frequency of the EM waves generated in the vicinity of the wires. To adjust the frequency of an EM wave, one must manipulate the values of components in a tuned circuit or the speed of the generator. Additionally, the relationship between AC frequency and EM wave frequency is clarified, emphasizing that while 60Hz AC generates 60Hz EM waves, other frequencies can be produced through different mechanisms, such as oscillators.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of AC frequency (60Hz, 50Hz)
  • Knowledge of oscillators and tuned circuits
  • Familiarity with electromagnetic wave propagation
  • Basic electronics skills, including circuit assembly
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of oscillators and their role in generating EM waves.
  • Explore the design and function of tuned circuits in radio transmitters.
  • Learn about the electromagnetic spectrum and how different frequencies relate to various applications.
  • Investigate the effects of varying inductance and capacitance on oscillator frequency.
USEFUL FOR

Electronics enthusiasts, radio frequency engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of electromagnetic wave generation and manipulation.

sawer
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Alternating current produces EM Wave.

What determines the frequency(or wave length) of an EM wave related to current or voltage?
 
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If you're talking about low energy AC like in your house, I'm guessing by EM wave you mean the fields near the wires. The frequency of those fields depend on the frequency of the AC, which would be ~60hz in your house. If you're talking about light from AC in a light bulb, that's a different thing.
 
sawer said:
Alternating current produces EM Wave.

What determines the frequency(or wave length) of an EM wave related to current or voltage?

its not related to either the current or voltage

the frequency is determined by the oscillator or other generator

in a radio transmitter or receiver there are oscillators based for example aroound a crystal oscillating at a wanted frequency
in the case of your mains power supply to your home its based on the spinning geterator at the power station. 60Hz in some countries of the world, 50Hz in others.

adjusting the frequency for example in a radio transmitter requires varying the oscillator frequency, this can be done by varying the values of the inductor or capacitor in a tuned circuit. Do some googling on oscillators, tank circuits, local oscillators to start get an idea of what is happening :)

cheers
Dave
 
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I'm sorry. I think I wasn't clear.

I didn't ask about the frequency of electricity.

Electric field generates the Electromagnetic wave and that wave has a frequency.

Em wave's frequency can be changed and this is why there is an EM spectrum.

I want to learn what effects the frequency of EM wave?

For example; 60HZ electricity can generates EM wave, so how can we relate the frequency of electricity with EM wave's frequency? Or is it related?

What are the parameters that are related with frequency of EM wave?
 
The frequency of the wave is determined by the frequency of the AC in the antenna.
The wavelength depends on the above frequency and the speed of propagation in the medium around the source.
 
So 60 hz ac generates 60 hz Em wave. Is that all?

Is there any formula?
 
sawer said:
So 60 hz ac generates 60 hz Em wave. Is that all?
Pretty much.
 
sawer said:
So 60 hz ac generates 60 hz Em wave. Is that all?

Is there any formula?

did you actually read my post ?

The frequency of the AC signal, and therefore any radiated EM wave is determined by the components of the oscillator or generator.
The formula is in the working out the values of the tuned circuit/speed of rotation of the generator

That is regardless of if its an audio oscillator or a RF oscillator

Dave
 
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nasu said:
Pretty much.

plus a few harmonics ;)

D
 
  • #10
sawer said:
I'm sorry. I think I wasn't clear.

I didn't ask about the frequency of electricity.
Electric field generates the Electromagnetic wave and that wave has a frequency.

thats good, because electricity doesn't have a frequency as such, But if it is an AC signal it does

Em wave's frequency can be changed and this is why there is an EM spectrum.

as already said the frequency is changed by changing the values of the oscillator tuned circuit ot the speed of rotation of the generator

I want to learn what effects the frequency of EM wave?

For example; 60HZ electricity can generates EM wave, so how can we relate the frequency of electricity with EM wave's frequency? Or is it related?
What are the parameters that are related with frequency of EM wave?

an electric field only produces a radiated EM wave if its oscillating... read my other posts :)
a 50 or 60Hz mains voltage is only producing a radiated EM wave because its oscillating

cheers
Dave
 
  • #11
I've been working on this and I think I might have it..

To Adjust the Freq. of an EM field in a wire:

get an audio cable, clip it and twist the two live wires together, leaving the braid cable separate

make a coil which you wish to magnetise

attach the live part of the audio cable to one end of the coil

the copper braid cable to the other end of the coil

plut the audio cable into an amp and download NCH tone generator or similar

rack up to volume to max (you might need a second amp to get enough juice)

put a neodymium magnet in the middle and watch it skip around at whatever frequency you wish, you can go from 1 to 22000 Hz I think.

Hope that helps, i think it's a pulsed DC current electromagnet? i don't call myself a scientist but thought it might be interesting as no one mentioned pulsed DC for adjusting EM frequency.

Also, could use the audio output to power a small low power laser, connected to a LDR and a 12v battery, then you could pulse the coil with more juice..
 
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  • #12
sawer said:
So 60 hz ac generates 60 hz Em wave. Is that all?...

If I understand your question correctly, then the answer is actuaaly "no". This would also mean that the previous response of "yes" was a missunderstanding of your question. For example, 60Hz goes into a lightbulb, but what comes out is everything from 400–800 terahertz (visible light); plus a lot more (bulb gets hot). Is that what you're asking about?

davenn said:
The frequency of the AC signal, and therefore any radiated EM wave is determined by the components of the oscillator or generator.
The formula is in the working out the values of the tuned circuit/speed of rotation of the generator

That is regardless of if its an audio oscillator or a RF oscillator

Dave

As an example, could you explain how this relates to the functioning of the lightbulb mentioned above? Specifically; how there's a generator at the power plant, but there's also the filiment in the bulb...

I think you could explain it better than I.
 

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