Radio wave's amplitude

[baileya]

Homework Statement

So I have to make a snapshot & history graph of a wave. I chose to do a radio wave. However, I just want to know what the measurements for amplitude and wavelength.

Also, there's no specific way to draw a snapshot of a radio wave is there? I can just draw the wave however, right?

Homework Equations

N/A

The Attempt at a Solution

I googled it.. sorry if this seems like a silly question, I'm just having a brain fart.

 

[fss]

Err... well, radio waves are electromagnetic waves within a certain frequency range (depending on what you mean by "radio"). They all have a certain kind of shape (cough Sine wave cough) and the frequency/wavelength are related by a simple relationship you should know.

So you can't draw the wave "however" you want- the numbers have to make sense- but as long as the numbers make sense you should be good to go.

 

[gneill]

Would that be an AM or FM signal that you want to draw a 'snapshot' of? How about

Sounds like you need to look up a few things:
radio signal strength
modulation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Types_of_radio_emissions#Type_of_modulation")
electric field

Signal strengths (amplitude) vary with distance from the transmitter. Typical received field amplitudes are in the range of microvolts/meter to millivolts/meter.

 

[L-x]

Although this video is about AM/FM synthesis, the principles are exactly the same as the ones used in AM/FM radio, this should help you visualise what's happening.

 

[baileya]

I'm just wondering how I would figure out the displacement for the y axis? I'm not sure what I would use and what units it would be?