What Factors Affect Am and Fm Radio Reception?
What Factors Affect AM And FM Radio Reception?
Background Information
Communications are carried by waves. One type of communication is AM and FM radio. AM and FM radio’s use radio waves. A radio wave is an electromagnetic wave propagated by an antenna at various frequencies. In AM (amplitude modulated) radio waves, the audio signal changes the amplitude of the carrier wave. In FM (frequency modulated) radio waves, the audio signal changes the frequency of the carrier wave. Australia’s broadcast bandwidth for AM radio is 500-1500 KHz and for FM radio it is 80-108 MHz. AM radio waves can be affected by electrical interference (such as household appliances) and devices oscillating in the same frequency band. FM radio waves aren’t subject to electrical interference but are affected by devices oscillating in the same frequency band.
Aim
To test if - a TV; a microwave oven in use; a mobile phone making a phone call; a TV remote control; water surrounding the aerial; a thin-metal box; an incandescent light bulb; a fluorescent light bulb – causes interference with AM and FM radio reception.
Hypothesis
I think that a TV will affect AM reception, but not FM reception, because TV’s will give off electrical pulses which will interfere with AM radio, but not FM.
I think that a microwave oven being used next to a radio will affect AM and FM radio reception, because microwave ovens are believed to give off a little amount of radiation, which would probably interfere with the AM and FM reception.
I think that a mobile phone making a call will affect both AM and FM radio reception, because when a mobile makes a call it is sending out radio signals. This should interfere with AM and FM radio.
I don’t think a remote control will interfere with AM reception because it wouldn’t cause much electrical interference, but I think it will interfere with FM reception because remote controls use similar frequencies to FM radio stations.
I don’t think water surrounding the radio antenna will
Background Information
Communications are carried by waves. One type of communication is AM and FM radio. AM and FM radio’s use radio waves. A radio wave is an electromagnetic wave propagated by an antenna at various frequencies. In AM (amplitude modulated) radio waves, the audio signal changes the amplitude of the carrier wave. In FM (frequency modulated) radio waves, the audio signal changes the frequency of the carrier wave. Australia’s broadcast bandwidth for AM radio is 500-1500 KHz and for FM radio it is 80-108 MHz. AM radio waves can be affected by electrical interference (such as household appliances) and devices oscillating in the same frequency band. FM radio waves aren’t subject to electrical interference but are affected by devices oscillating in the same frequency band.
Aim
To test if - a TV; a microwave oven in use; a mobile phone making a phone call; a TV remote control; water surrounding the aerial; a thin-metal box; an incandescent light bulb; a fluorescent light bulb – causes interference with AM and FM radio reception.
Hypothesis
I think that a TV will affect AM reception, but not FM reception, because TV’s will give off electrical pulses which will interfere with AM radio, but not FM.
I think that a microwave oven being used next to a radio will affect AM and FM radio reception, because microwave ovens are believed to give off a little amount of radiation, which would probably interfere with the AM and FM reception.
I think that a mobile phone making a call will affect both AM and FM radio reception, because when a mobile makes a call it is sending out radio signals. This should interfere with AM and FM radio.
I don’t think a remote control will interfere with AM reception because it wouldn’t cause much electrical interference, but I think it will interfere with FM reception because remote controls use similar frequencies to FM radio stations.
I don’t think water surrounding the radio antenna will
Bibliography: School Physics Textbook www.howstuffworks.com www.cybercollege.com www.geocities.com