Calculating Wavelength of Radio 4 FM & Explaining Loss in Deep Valleys

[manjula]

Homework Statement

Radio 4 transmits on FM at a frequency of 92.5 MHz Calculate the wavelength and use it to explain why listeners in deep valleys cannot pick up radio 4 FM.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[LowlyPion]

First of all what is the wavelength.

If you don't know that you might really not know where to start.

 

[thomate1]

The wavelength of a radio wave can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = speed of light / frequency. In this case, the speed of light is approximately 3 x 10^8 m/s and the frequency is 92.5 MHz (or 92.5 x 10^6 Hz). Plugging these values into the formula, we get a wavelength of approximately 3.24 meters.

This means that the radio wave transmitted by Radio 4 FM has a wavelength of 3.24 meters. This is a relatively long wavelength compared to other types of electromagnetic waves, such as visible light.

One of the reasons why listeners in deep valleys may have difficulty picking up Radio 4 FM is due to the phenomenon of diffraction. Diffraction is the bending of waves around obstacles or through small openings. In this case, the deep valleys act as obstacles for the radio waves, causing them to bend and spread out, making it difficult for the radio waves to reach the listener's receiver.

Additionally, the long wavelength of the radio waves means that they are more easily absorbed by objects in their path, such as mountains and buildings. This absorption, known as attenuation, can further weaken the signal and make it difficult for listeners in deep valleys to receive a clear signal.

In conclusion, the relatively long wavelength of Radio 4 FM and the phenomenon of diffraction and attenuation contribute to the difficulty of picking up the signal in deep valleys.