How will the change in wavelength affect diffraction in television signals?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the impact of wavelength changes on the diffraction of television signals. The original poster presents a scenario comparing current television signal wavelengths of approximately 50cm to future digital signals at about 10mm, questioning how this change will affect diffraction into shadow regions created by obstacles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the nature of diffraction and its dependence on wavelength. The original poster seeks justification for how changes in wavelength might influence diffraction. There is also a request for relevant formulas to analyze the diffraction pattern for different wavelengths.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the concept of diffraction and its relationship to wavelength. Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the problem, particularly regarding the conditions under which diffraction is most noticeable. However, there is no explicit consensus or resolution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of confidence in their physics knowledge, with some indicating urgency due to impending deadlines and the significance of the assignment to their overall grade.

poison_ivy
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I know I'm just a newbie, but i need your help guyz :blushing:
This is a matter of life and death Thanks!



--> In conventional television, signals are broadcast from towers to
home receivers. Even when a receiver is not in direct view of a tower because of a hill or building, it can still intercept a signal if the signal diffracts enough around the obstacle, into the obstacle's “shadow region”. Current television signals have a wavelength of about 50cm, but future digital television signals that are to be transmitted from towers will have a wavelength of about 10mm. (a) Will this change in wavelength increase or decrease the diffraction of signals into the shadow regions of obstacles? Justify your answer with physics. Now, assume that a signal passes through an opening of 5.0m width between too adjacent buildings. What is the angular spread of the central diffraction maximum (ie how large of an angle does the central maximum occupy) for wavelengths of (b) 50cm, (c) 10mm?
 
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poison_ivy said:
I know I'm just a newbie, but i need your help guyz :blushing:
This is a matter of life and death Thanks!



--> In conventional television, signals are broadcast from towers to
home receivers. Even when a receiver is not in direct view of a tower because of a hill or building, it can still intercept a signal if the signal diffracts enough around the obstacle, into the obstacle's “shadow region”. Current television signals have a wavelength of about 50cm, but future digital television signals that are to be transmitted from towers will have a wavelength of about 10mm. (a) Will this change in wavelength increase or decrease the diffraction of signals into the shadow regions of obstacles? Justify your answer with physics. Now, assume that a signal passes through an opening of 5.0m width between too adjacent buildings. What is the angular spread of the central diffraction maximum (ie how large of an angle does the central maximum occupy) for wavelengths of (b) 50cm, (c) 10mm?
To begin, tell us what you know about diffraction.

AM
 
Diffraction is the spreading of waves around obstacles or squeezing through a small hole. It occurs with sound waves, light, atoms, and subatomic particles. Its like if light waves from 2 slits can interfere
with each other, the light from different parts of the same slit also interfere.

I'm really not good in Physics, i already answered 2/4 of my homework but i can't do this and the other one. I really need help coz this is 15% of my total grade, and this is due tomorrow. Thanks...
 
For question (a), you need only ask yourself "when is the effect of diffraction most noticeable?" (Think in terms of wavelength). For questions (b) and (c) you will need a formulae. What formulae do you know which can describe the diffraction pattern of a single slit?
 
Oh ok, i already passed my HW this morning. So, thanks anyway ;)
 

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