Radio Waves and the Pioneers

Science / Radio Waves Milestone

What are Radio Waves?

Radio waves are electromagnetic waves that transmit sound and pictures through the air.   Scottish scientist James Maxwell (1831-1879), known for his development of the single force field, electromagnetism, predicted that radio waves existed. German scientist and professor Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894), wanted to find out more and experimented using circuits and electric currents. In 1886, Hertz created and measured radio waves for the first time. This phenomenon of electromagnetic waves that he demonstrated is referred to as "Hertzian waves" coined after his name. He further showed that their velocity and length could be measured, and that heat and light are electromagnetic waves.

Uses of Radio Waves

Radio waves are used to communicate wireless. They are used in radios, television broadcasts, cordless telephones and remote-controlled toys. In modern times, we have gotten so used to them that we take for granted how they came about in the brilliant minds of these great scientists.

Pioneering Scientists of the Radio Waves

In 1895, Russian scientist Alexander Popov showed how to send and receive radio waves for communication. During the same year, American scientist Nikola Tesla also sent radio messages, and Italian scientist Guglielmo Marconi received his first message by radio. Four years later, in 1899, Marconi sent the first wireless message across the English Channel.

Radio Milestone

Technology has gone a long way in terms of radio waves and radio in particular.  The establishment of telegraphy was dependent on the discovery of Hertz.  The unit of frequency of a radio wave, Hertz, is named in his honour, who died at the age of 36.


Resources:

• Science and Technology. The Five Mile Press, Victoria, 2001


• The Knowledge Book. Hardie Grant Books, Victoria, 2008

Video Credit:

Radio Waves, justpict.com/radiowaves.