Propagation Definition and 487 Threads

Radio propagation is the behavior of radio waves as they travel, or are propagated, from one point to another, or into various parts of the atmosphere. As a form of electromagnetic radiation, like light waves, radio waves are affected by the phenomena of reflection, refraction, diffraction, absorption, polarization, and scattering. Understanding the effects of varying conditions on radio propagation has many practical applications, from choosing frequencies for international shortwave broadcasters, to designing reliable mobile telephone systems, to radio navigation, to operation of radar systems.
Several different types of propagation are used in practical radio transmission systems. Line-of-sight propagation means radio waves which travel in a straight line from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna. Line of sight transmission is used for medium-distance radio transmission, such as cell phones, cordless phones, walkie-talkies, wireless networks, FM radio, television broadcasting, radar, and satellite communication (such as satellite television). Line-of-sight transmission on the surface of the Earth is limited to the distance to the visual horizon, which depends on the height of transmitting and receiving antennas. It is the only propagation method possible at microwave frequencies and above.At lower frequencies in the MF, LF, and VLF bands, diffraction allows radio waves to bend over hills and other obstacles, and travel beyond the horizon, following the contour of the Earth. These are called surface waves or ground wave propagation. AM broadcast stations use ground waves to cover their listening areas. As the frequency gets lower, the attenuation with distance decreases, so very low frequency (VLF) and extremely low frequency (ELF) ground waves can be used to communicate worldwide. VLF and ELF waves can penetrate significant distances through water and earth, and these frequencies are used for mine communication and military communication with submerged submarines.
At medium wave and shortwave frequencies (MF and HF bands) radio waves can refract from the ionosphere. This means that medium and short radio waves transmitted at an angle into the sky can be refracted back to Earth at great distances beyond the horizon – even transcontinental distances. This is called skywave propagation. It is used by amateur radio operators to communicate with operators in distant countries, and by shortwave broadcast stations to transmit internationally.In addition, there are several less common radio propagation mechanisms, such as tropospheric scattering (troposcatter), tropospheric ducting (ducting), and near vertical incidence skywave (NVIS) which are used in specialized communication systems.

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  1. B

    Propagation of Error for Focal Length

    Homework Statement: Propagation of Error for Focal Length Homework Equations: f = (s'*s) / (s' + s) In my lab, we had to calculate the focal length of a lens based on object distances (s) and image distances (s') that we measured. The object distances were measured with an uncertainty of...
  2. T

    A Numerically Solving Scalar Propagation in Curved Spacetime

    Hey everybody, Background: I'm currently working on a toy model for my master thesis, the massless Klein-Gordon equation in a rotating static Kerr-Schild metric. The partial differential equations are (see http://arxiv.org/abs/1705.01071, equation 27, with V'=0): $$ \partial_t\phi =...
  3. B

    Physics Lab Propagation of Error Issue

    Homework Statement: Physics Lab Propagation of Error Issue Homework Equations: ∂f/∂b=∂/∂b (tan^(-1)⁡(a/4b))= 1/(1+(a/4b)^2 )×(-a)/(4b^2 )=1/(1+((5.922 cm)/(4×1.766 cm))^2 )×(-5.922 cm)/(4×(1.766 cm)^2 ) Hello, I'm trying to find the uncertainty in a function from the lab manual for the...
  4. Hepper

    Does the Coriolis force act on the propagation of light?

    Summary: Robert Sungenis explains the sagnac effect Robert Sungenis, a well-known proponent of geocentrism, has authored a https://gwwdvd.com/what-allows-the-sun-to-revolve-around-the-earth/ in which he tries to explain the Sagnac effect as a result of Coriolis force (p.16-17), which he thinks...
  5. J

    Propagation speed of the electrostatic field

    I have a proton and an electron at a certain distance from it. The proton exerts an electrostatic force on the electron. I then neutralize the proton's charge by firing another electron at it from behind. How long does it take for the first electron to sense the change?
  6. T

    Propagation of errors: two different results for same question

    If I write ##f=\frac{uv}{u+v}## and then take differentials on both sides, I get ##\frac{df}{f}=\frac{du}{u}+\frac{dv}{v}+\frac{du+dv}{u+v}##, I get the fractional error as 0.03. (I have replaced the negative signs that come as a result of quotient rule with positive signs, since we are asked to...
  7. Y

    Is the propagation velocity slow down at low audio frequency?

    I uploaded the paper from Belden cable company. It said the velocity slows down to 5EE6 m/sec from 1EE8 m/sec at RF speed. I don't remember I ever read this before, I thought velocity = 1/sqrt( μ/ε). Please give me a link on the reason if this is true. Thanks Alan
  8. Claric1

    Error analysis: propagation of error

    Homework Statement The following may appear to be a rather strange question but I have no access to a lab to conduct experiments so I have to rely on my imagination, and questions from textbooks, to contrive questions that will hopefully improve my understanding of a topic. I have recently...
  9. Lord Crc

    B Propagation of changes in a gravitational field

    I thought gravitational waves were how changes in the gravitational field was propagated. The Insight https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/how-fast-do-changes-in-the-gravitational-field-propagate/ says so as well. What got me confused was the following scenario: take a stationary black hole...
  10. J

    In what direction does a light wave vibrate?

    I've wondered this for a while but not known how to ask the question, If light is a transverse wave, then what is it transverse to? To elaborate, light travels in three-dimensions, radially. To me, this seems analogous to the sound wave, with pulses of pressure moving longitudinally to the...
  11. E

    Combining Multiple Rules for Error Propagation

    Homework Statement An object of mass m=2.3±0.1kg moves at a speed of v=1.25±0.03m/s. Calculate the kinetic energy (K=1/2mv2) of the object and estimate the uncertainty δK? Homework Equations - Addition error propagation--> z = x + y and the Limit error--> δz = δx + δy -...
  12. R

    Photon propagation? Is this correct?

    Ok so I drew up something (I know its horrible), but is this correct? Does the black line in the middle represent the propagation of the photon? If this is correct I would like to know and anything else that could help me or just anything related to this.
  13. iVenky

    I Direction of E field and propagation of wave in a conductor

    We know that skin depth in a conductor is found using the following expression, (Credits: http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/315/Waves/node65.html) Basically, as the wave propagates in a conductor, it's electric field strength reduces and reaches 1/e of it's initial value at the skin depth...
  14. S

    I Error propagation and standard deviation

    Hey there, First time on this forums, looking forward to some interesting discussions :) I am currently trying grasp the concepts of error propagation and standard deviation in relation to experimental physics. I have some data set and i want to determine the difference between the measured and...
  15. Jussi Lundahl

    I Propagation of uncertainty in the slope

    I'm doing a lab report from electronic spectrum of iodine. I did Birge-Sponer plot from my data. Excel gave it to me a slope y = -2,0698x+133,34. From regression analysis I get uncertainties for slope and intercept. Slope: ##-2,069761731 \pm 0,075075941## Intercept: ##133,3385857 \pm...
  16. H

    Puzzle: propagation of momentum in water

    Hello again Physics Forums! I have a question about fluid dynamics. Perhaps someone here can help me out. I am trying to understand how a plume of water moving at some speed carries momentum within a body of water. For instance the ‘exhaust’ from a submarine propeller. I am having a hard time...
  17. itoero

    Light propagation in water -- Is the scattering Rayleigh scattering?

    When light enters an ocean, the photons scatter elastic with water molecules yet the presence of opaque particles causes the depth to be limited. Is this scattering Rayleigh scattering? (like the scattering in our atmosphere) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rayleigh_scattering
  18. S

    Angle of Incidence, Propagation Constant and Wavelength

    Homework Statement Light of free-space wavelength λ0 = 0.87 μm is guided by a thin planar film of thickness d = 3.0 μm and refractive index n1 = 1.6, surrounded by a medium of refractive index n2 = 1.4 critical angle = 61.04° n0 = 1.00 (a) Determine (i) the angle of incidence θ and (ii) the...
  19. B

    Why Do Electromagnetic Waves Propagate Independently of Their Source?

    Homework Statement Use Maxwell's equations to elaborate an coherent explication of why electromagnetic waves propagate independently of the source that produces them. Homework Equations Maxwell's equations in vacuum: ##\nabla * E=0## ##\nabla * B=0## ##\nabla \times E = -\frac{\partial...
  20. G

    Propagation of Error and Relative Error

    Homework Statement 2) A student is performing an angry bird experiment in real life. He calculates the range of the projectile by shooting the bird with a 30 degree angle and an initial velocity of v0 = 20 m/s. a) If the relative accuracy of setting the projectile angle is delta theta/theta =...
  21. T

    Why does the sun affect radio wave propagation?

    I noticed HF radio waves travel farther and easier when the sun is out rather then during the night. Why?
  22. Z

    How was Newtonian relativity ruled out in EM propagation?

    What I've read on the Michelson/Morley experiment explains that it made the idea of the luminiferous aether seem less likely, but I don't think I've ever seen an explanation of why everyone didn't just assume that light follows normal Newtonian relativity. What I mean is this: according to...
  23. S

    Modes of Optical Fiber propagation

    What actually is a mode of optical fiber propagation?Is it similar to modes which correspond to various configurations as in standing waves on a string ? Also How correct is it to consider no. of rays as no of modes?
  24. A

    Time Uncertainty Propagation - Stoke's Law & Average Time

    Homework Statement [/B] So basically I am calculating the terminal velocity for a small sphere falling in a measuring cylinder filled with glycerine. The distance traveled is 20 cm (0.20 m), and I have conducted 3 trials for each temperature. I have measured the displacement of the ball using...
  25. Doctor_G

    I Propagation of Error when Taking the Average of Averages

    This is an issue I've seen asked and answered before on this forum some years ago. However, the answer doesn't quite make sense to me, so I want to see if I can get either a more satisfactory answer or a better explanation of the original. Suppose that I have some cells that produce a...
  26. T

    Propagation of transverse pulse on a string

    Homework Statement A horizontal string at tension T is tapped at the midpoint to create a small transverse pulse. What happens to the pulse as time passes? If the pulse is instead created at a point other than the midpoint, what happens to it? Neglect damping. Homework Equations Speed of...
  27. slow

    Propagation of light in a vacuum

    Hi. Reading some recent threads I have found basic questions about light, fields, etc. For example, why something like light, associated with the electric and magnetic fields, can exist in a vacuum. And I noticed that every time I've been asked that kind of question, I answered "how" the...
  28. A

    Propagation length of the surface plasma wave (SPW)

    Hello, Many Researchers talked about the following parameters: 1. Propagation length of the surface plasma wave(spw). 2. penetration depth of surface plasma wave(spw). 3. concentration of the (spw). 4. the equation of the interface in vacuum - plasma interface. I feel confused regarding such...
  29. A

    Uncertainty/error of a volume is greater than the normal volume

    Homework Statement I have an empty cylinder with an external diameter of (23.0 ± 0.5) mm, an internal diameter of (22.5 ± 0.5) mm and a height of (60.0 ± 0.5) mm. I need to calculate its volume with its uncertainty/error. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I do it like this...
  30. NihalRi

    Error propagation when dividing by exact number

    Homework Statement Some Background - We are calculating the amount of acetylsalicylic acid in a sample using spectrophotometry. We were told to make sure to include the error in our answer. So first to calculate the moles of acetylsalicylic acid in a measured mass. 0.1620 ± 0.0005g measured...
  31. heavystray

    B How do you calculate the uncertainty in T using graphs?

    i have an equation like this: Given m(B-V)= 1.2 +- 0.2 How do you calculate the uncertainty in T? (btw, I solve T using graphs by finding the intersection point) My idea was first to calculate T when m(B-V) =0.2, and I then calculate T when m(B-V)= 1.2 + 0.2(its uncertainty). and then find the...
  32. Vivek98phyboy

    Rectilinear propagation of light

    How is it possible for different parts of a single rectangular wavefront to produce different intensity at particular point(P) despite the fact that wavefront is something which has all the particles at same phase?
  33. S

    I What is the propagation speed of a diffusion

    Hello everybody! For my water in nanoscaled-pores simulations with SPH I need a value for the characteristic velocity. My planned approach is to estimate this value by attaining the propagation speed of a diffusion wave. But I have problems with understanding this process since I find some...
  34. Decimal

    How to find the direction of wave propagation

    Homework Statement Given the following expression $$ \Psi(x,t) = A cosh(36 x^2 - 12 x t + t^2)$$ Determine whether this is a traveling wave and if so what is its propagation velocity and propagation direction? Homework Equations Wave equation $$ \frac {\delta^2 \Psi(x,t)} {\delta x^2} =...
  35. N

    Sound Intensity Propagation and Sound Waves

    Hello everyone, I'd ask you through an illustration which for me would be more clear to put questions I wrote in the image: Thanks to all! Cheers Luigi
  36. S

    Python Help with POPPY (Physical Optics Propagation in PYthon)

    If someone has used the python program POPPY, I'd like some help. How can I set up two wavefronts entering at slightly different angles, and then see the interference pattern?
  37. D

    EM Wave Propagation Homework.Incident/Transmitted Power Density

    Homework Statement An E field with f = 2.45*10^9 Hz passes through a material with the following properties e_r = 10 u_r = 1 sigma = 1 (S/m) The Incident E field has peak magnitude of 300 V/m at the air to surface boundary. (a) *solved* Find the incident power density at the material...
  38. A

    B Propagation of information/energy at different frequencies

    The Sun, mass decreases as energy increases, i.e. 2 x hydrogen = 1 x helium ( less a little bit = a photon ) until it is ultimately swalled up by a black whole, a magnet with strong force, a ball of iron? am I on the right lines ?
  39. T

    How Can I Broadcast a Message Into Outer Space Using Radio Waves?

    Hello! I have been thinking of broadcasting a message into outer space. It sounds silly, I know, but that's just something I'd like to do for and with my niece. She's 8 years old and very interested in physics (as far as she understands it). I have some knowledge in electronics, I think I...
  40. EastWindBreaks

    Error propagation, is this correct?

    Homework Statement given E is constant, find the uncertainty in the angular frequency, ω. can someone please check my work? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution
  41. R

    I Is this book correct regarding waves in even dimensions?

    http://imgur.com/cUNs2z7 In this book I found by chance on Google, the author claims that “solutions of the wave equation only take the form of functions (...) in one and three dimensions. In two dimensions solutions are more complex”. Then, at the end of the paragraph of interest (which I...
  42. andresfirman

    How to calculate the propagation error for a tricky Eq

    Hello Please help me, my function is; alpha = [ i1.g2 / (i2.g1) - 1 ] / ( t1-t2 ) I will have to measure i1, i2, g1, g2, t1 and t2 them I made classical error porpagation, but I don't know if this is ok. How is the proper way to calculate the propagation error for alpha?
  43. J

    I Error Propagation in Transcendental Equation

    Hey guys, I'm in a class where we're learning about waveguides, and without going into too much depth, we often solve an equation $$ \tan{(\kappa (\frac{a}{2}))} = \frac{\gamma}{\kappa} $$ for ##\kappa## numerically since there isn't an analytic solution for ##\kappa##. I'm doing a project...
  44. S

    I Error Propagation (Percentage) - sin(x)^2 / x^2

    Hey, I'm trying to propagate my percentage errors through some hefty equations and come up on a bit of snag: I've got a percentage error for x and know how to deal with it for trig functions and powers, however since both errors are from the same source: y = sin(x)^2 / x^2 Should I just...
  45. Grinkle

    B Expansion Propagation: Finite Seed vs Everywhere?

    Is there any theory to say if expansion started with a finite seed and propagated out at a finite speed vs somehow happening everywhere at once? I know the layman's phrasing is that expansion happened everywhere at the same time. That might just mean that the very small part of the early...
  46. B

    A Intuition on integral term in D'Alembert's formula

    If $$\phi(t,x)$$ is a solution to the one dimensional wave equation and if the initial conditions $$\phi(0,x) , \phi_t(0,x)$$ are given, D'Alembert's Formula gives $$\phi(t,x)= \frac 12[ \phi(0,x-ct)+ \phi(0,x+ct) ]+ \frac1{2c} \int_{x-ct}^{x+ct} \phi_t(0,y)dy . \tag{1}$$ which is...
  47. P

    Light-beam propagation across impassable barrier?

    Hi all, (See attached image file) Two mutually coherent and collimated light beams intersect as shown, creating the stationary 'bright' and 'dark' fringes of fig.A. Suppose that, after the fringe pattern has formed, we insert a very thin (compared to the fringe-width) and (ideally) perfectly...
  48. W

    Sound propagation with altitude/height

    Let's say we have a 3 floor/level building , and someone is making noise outside, i.e: Playing guitar, given that all the building has the same sound isolation everywhere, what can you say about the sound propagation? we have 2 cases a) when windows opened b) when windows closed Will the...
  49. S

    I Dirac vs KG propagation amplitude

    Hello! Can someone explain to me the physical meaning of ##\bar{\psi}=\psi^\dagger\gamma^0## in the Dirac equation? For example when calculating propagation amplitude I see that what we calculate is ##<0|\psi(x)\bar{\psi(y)}|0>## and not ##<0|\psi(x)\psi(y)|0>## (as we do for KG equation) and I...
  50. F

    I Propagation of a light ray : Multiply or not by factor

    I am working on a project which consists in calculating numerically the trajectory of a light ray in the Friedmann-Lemaitre metric with the case "k = 0" (euclidean space) and zero cosmological constant. The light ray is emitted by a source galaxy at instant ##t_{0}=\dfrac{2}{3H_{0}}## (today)...
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