Question

1. Assume that the antenna transmitting a radio wave is a single wire. Explain why adjusting the angle of the receiving antenna (also a straight wire or metal rod) on your radio set might improve your signal.

Answer 1

An antennas are used for transmitting and receiving the signals. The movement of electric charges on the metal rods of antenna produces changing electric and magnetic fields.

The antenna's shape and size determines the frequencies that it can handle and how it will radiate the waves further. The angle at which it has to be oriented determines the beam polarization at the reception and transmissions.

The better is the polarization angle, the maximized will be the received intensity and ultimately the power maximize.

I = P/A => P = I A

the relationship between the intensity and polarization angle is:

I = I0 cos^2(theta)