What “is” a radio signal-?

[chuckpeterson]

I know we know how to detect a radio signal.

I know we know how to send a radio signal.

I know a radio signal can travel through a vacuum.

I know a radio signal can travel through a solid object.

But this does not tell me what a radio signal “IS”.

Anybody have a clue?

 

[HTacianas]

I know we know how to detect a radio signal.

I know we know how to send a radio signal.

I know a radio signal can travel through a vacuum.

I know a radio signal can travel through a solid object.

But this does not tell me what a radio signal “IS”.

Anybody have a clue?

I happen to know this.

RF signals are forms of energy rising and falling at a given frequency. They act similar to sound waves but need no medium to travel through. Any RF signal with a frequency above around 30 kilohertz will transmit over distance.

 

[drjean]

Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths in the electromagnetic spectrum longer than infrared light. Radio waves have frequencies as high as 300 gigahertz (GHz) to as low as 30 hertz (Hz). ...

AM signals are Amplitude Modulated (AM) and FM signals are Frequency Modulated (FM) meaning you alter the wave one way or the other.

However ... there's more!

https://www.livescience.com/50399-radio-waves.html

 

[Dig4truth]

Some might say that there must be a medium to travel through and some have even given it a name, aether.

There are some classic experiments that support this theory but they are generally suppressed in the classroom.

 

[Chesterton]

Well, let's take it back a step. What is a wave?

 

[Dig4truth]

Well, let's take it back a step. What is a wave?

An oscillation?

 

[HTacianas]

Well, let's take it back a step. What is a wave?

It's the same as a wave in the ocean.

If we compare it to sound using a harmonica as an example, as the reed in the harmonica vibrates, it produces sound. When the reed flexes to its farthest point, the sound is at its highest level. As the reed returns to its starting point, the sound is weakest. It then flexes in the opposite direction, and reaching its furthest point, the sound level is highest again.

That rising and falling of the sound level produces a wave that can be measured. It is a wave rising and falling as the sound travels over distance. The measurement of the highest level of the peak determines its "amplitude", meaning how loud it is. As the wave travels over distance it begins to "flatten out", causing the sound to get quieter over distance.

 

[SkyWriting]

Well, let's take it back a step. What is a wave?

 

[SkyWriting]

An oscillation?

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Some might say that there must be a medium to travel through and some have even given it a name, aether...There are some classic experiments that support this theory but they are generally suppressed in the classroom.

Thanks for posting that. I looked up his video on the importance of geocentrism, and it addressed something that always bugged me. Light aimed in any direction on Earth always measures at the same speed, even though the Earth is rapidly travelling through space. If the theory of relativity were correct, then it wouldn't matter, but if there were a medium to travel through (all waves require a medium), then it would imply that the Earth is stationary. The experiment in this video fairly destroys the idea that a source and a receiver fixed on a turning ball would measure the light indifferently to the ball's movement.

Then...that would suggest that the Earth is stationary. If that's the case, then it's going to take some monumental mind-bending to understand planetary physics.

 

[chuckpeterson]

That rising and falling of the sound level produces a wave that can be measured.

Everyone is quick to show us how we can detect a radio wave but none; as of yet, can say "what" a radio wave "is" and frankly the answer to that question is simple enough; no one knows what it "is" & that is good enough for me.

My quest for the unreachable has been reached.

I'm off to the far side of the moon just to see whats on the other side.

later

 

[Sanoy]

The signal itself is the difference between the carrier and it's modulation which is the actual signal. So like with TV each channel is 6mhz wide. So the center frequency of channel 17 might be 250mhz, the center frequency of channel 18 will be 6 mhz higher, so 256mhz. That center frequency will either modulate it's amplitude (AM) or it's frequency (FM) within it's FCC designated limit of 6mhz. The signal is the modulation of the carrier frequency.

 

[Dig4truth]

Thanks for posting that. I looked up his video on the importance of geocentrism, and it addressed something that always bugged me. Light aimed in any direction on Earth always measures at the same speed, even though the Earth is rapidly travelling through space. If the theory of relativity were correct, then it wouldn't matter, but if there were a medium to travel through (all waves require a medium), then it would imply that the Earth is stationary. The experiment in this video fairly destroys the idea that a source and a receiver fixed on a turning ball would measure the light indifferently to the ball's movement.

Then...that would suggest that the Earth is stationary. If that's the case, then it's going to take some monumental mind-bending to understand planetary physics.

If you have not seen the movie "The Principle" it can answer some of the questions. It is full of the most prominent scientists of the day and even hosted by Kathryn Janeway of Star Trek fame.

 

[Justatruthseeker]

I know we know how to detect a radio signal.

I know we know how to send a radio signal.

I know a radio signal can travel through a vacuum.

I know a radio signal can travel through a solid object.

But this does not tell me what a radio signal “IS”.

Anybody have a clue?

Radio signals are part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we as human are simply unable to see. We can only see about .0035% of the entire spectrum. In reality we are almost blind and don't even realize it....

 

[Chesterton]

It's the same as a wave in the ocean.

If we compare it to sound using a harmonica as an example, as the reed in the harmonica vibrates, it produces sound. When the reed flexes to its farthest point, the sound is at its highest level. As the reed returns to its starting point, the sound is weakest. It then flexes in the opposite direction, and reaching its furthest point, the sound level is highest again.

That rising and falling of the sound level produces a wave that can be measured. It is a wave rising and falling as the sound travels over distance. The measurement of the highest level of the peak determines its "amplitude", meaning how loud it is. As the wave travels over distance it begins to "flatten out", causing the sound to get quieter over distance.

Why?

 

[HTacianas]

Why?

I don't understand your question.

 

[Chesterton]

I don't understand your question.

I'm asking "why" to every single sentence you wrote in that post. But don't bother answering. I'll only ask why to everything you answer.

 

[essentialsaltes]

A radio wave is just light. Some light is red, some light is blue, some light is infrared or ultraviolet. If the wavelength of the light is quite long, we call it radio wave.

Light is another word for electromagnetic radiation. It is a bundle of electric and magnetic fields that moves through space.

If you have a long metal rod (an antenna) and you move some electric charges from one end of the rod to the other and back again, this produces waves of electromagnetic fields that move away from the antenna. Radio waves. Similar to how moving your hand up and down in the tub will make water waves.

 

[chuckpeterson]

Radio waves. Similar to how moving your hand up and down in the tub will make water waves.

then accotding to your account, radio waves have mass else the water in your example would not move.

 

[essentialsaltes]

then accotding to your account, radio waves have mass else the water in your example would not move.

It's just an analogy, not a perfect analogy. Waves have sources. The classical source of electromagnetic waves (including radio waves) is electrical charges that accelerate.

That said, radio waves have energy. Therefore they have relativistic mass. This is why light (including radio waves) is affected by gravity.