Radio wave

Animation of a haf-wave daiapol antenna radiating radio waves, showing di elektrik field lines. Di antenna for di centa dé two vertikal metal rods wen dé konneted to a radio transmitta (not shown). Di transmitta dé applai an altanating elektrik kurrent to di rods, wen dé charj dem altanately positiv (+) and negativ (−). Loops of elektrik field dé leave di antenna and travel away at di speed of laight; these bi di radio waves. For dis animation di akshion dé shown slowed down tremendously.

Radio waves bi a taip of elektromagnetik radiashion with di longest wavelengths for di elektromagnetik spektrum, taipikally with frequencies of 300 gigahertz (GHz) and below. At 300 GHz, di korresponding wavelength bi 1mm, wen dé shorta than di diameta of a grain of rais. At 30 Hz di korresponding wavelength bi ~10,000 kilometas (6,200 miles), wen dé longa than di reidius of di Earth. Wavelength of a radio wave dé invasly proporshional to it frequency, bekaus it velocity dé konstant. Like all elektromagnetik waves, radio waves for a vakuum dé travel at di speed of light, and for di Earth's atmosfe at a slaightly slowa speed. Radio waves dé jenerated by charjd partikuls wen dé undago accelerashion, such as taim-varying elektrik kurrents. Naturally okkurring radio waves dé emitted by lightning and astronomikal objects, and dé part of di blakbodi radiashion wen all warm objekts dé emit.

Diagram of the electric fields (E) and magnetic fields (H) of radio waves emitted by a monopole radio transmitting antenna (small dark vertical line in the center). The E and H fields are perpendicular, as implied by the phase diagram in the lower right.