http://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/duk_/lessons/duk_amradio_tech_less/duk_amradio_tech_less.xmllessontext/xmlRiding the Radio WavesTechtronics Program, Electromagnetic WavesAM RadioFrequencyAmplitudeModulation longitudinal wavetransverse waveamplitudefrequencyelectromagnetic wavesmodulatordemodulatorfilteramplifierThrough this lesson students learn how AM radios work through basic concepts about waves and magnetic fields. Waves are first introduced by establishing the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves, as well as identifying the amplitude and frequency of a given waveform. Students then learn general concepts about magnetic fields, leading into how radio waves are created and transmitted. Several demonstrations can be performed in order to help students better understand these concepts. The goal of this lesson is for students to understand how the AM radios built during the associated activity function.
Understanding how waves and magnetic fields work are basic concepts of electricity and magnetism that all engineers should know. It is also a task of an engineer to take the concepts learned in school or other types of training and to find practical uses and applications for this knowledge, such as the AM radios for this lesson.
Students should be able to identify transverse and longitudinal waves Students should be able to determine the amplitude and frequency of a waveform Students should be able to describe how electromagnetic waves propagate Students should be able to describe the process by which AM radios work 1TeachEngineering.orgEmily Spataro, Lisa Burton and Lara Oliver (Authors), Duke University, Pratt School of Engineeringhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/radio/#http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/radio.htmhttp://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.htmlS1028556North_CarolinaScience2.03 Evaluate technological designs for:<br />• Application of scientific principles.88United StatesCopyright 2012 - Techtronics Program, Pratt School of Engineering, Duke Universityhttp://www.teachengineering.org/policy_ipp.phphttp://www.teachengineering.org/2008-09-267Teacher