What is a radio wave?
Q: What is a radio wave?
A: A radio wave is a packet of energy with a specific wavelength, similar to visible light waves, X-rays or gamma rays, except longer. It has the same hill and valley shape as other types of waves.
Q: How are wavelengths measured?
A: Wavelengths are measured as the distance from the top of one crest to the top of its neighboring crest.
Q: How do radio waves compare in size to visible light waves?
A: Visible light waves have very small wavelengths, less than one micrometer and much less than the thickness of a human hair, while radio waves can have a wavelength from a couple centimeters to several meters.
Q: What are microwaves?
A: Microwaves are the smallest type of radio wave.
Q: What is shortwave?
A: Shortwave is not quite as small as microwaves but still smaller than medium and longwaves.
Q: How does antenna size relate to what it's designed for?
A: Antennas designed to send and receive radio waves are usually similar in size to the wavelength they are meant to use. For example, antennas used for FM or AM radio signals may be several feet or even up to around 1 thousand feet long respectively.
