Experiment 6: Radiation Lab

The purpose of this experiment was to observe and study electromagnetic radiation using a simple antenna.

In this lab we used:
-Copper Wire
-Meter Stick
-BNC Connector
-Frequency Generator
-Oscilloscope

In the experiment, we created a transmitter by attaching a copper wire on to a meter stick using tape. One end was connected to the frequency generator. We then created a receiver by plugging in at the BNC connector into the oscilloscope. We then ran a 30 Hz frequency with a maximum amplitude. The time/div was changed to 01. ms and we decreased the voltage/div until we observed a signal on the screen. We then recorded the peak to peak amplitude of the electromagnetic wave for several trials.

Below is the data that was collected:

We then plotted the peak to peak amplitude as a function of distance:

CONCLUSION:
The graph was inverse proportional. We fitted the A/r and the A/r^2 to the graph. The A/r fit was better than the A/r^2 even though it is not a perfect fit. The best fit was A/r^n. We expected that the A/r function, but since it was not a point charge, we had to take into consideration the dx because the transmitter was linear perpendicular to the receiver.