14-1.

Describe an electromagnetic ray; a wavefront

An Electromagnetic ray is a line drawn along the direction
of propagation of an electromagnetic wave. A wavefront
shows a surface of a constant phase of electromagnetic
waves.
14-2. Describe power density; voltage intensity.
Power density is the rate at which energy passes through a
given surface area in free space. Field intensity is the intensity
of the electric and magnetic fields of an electromagnetic
wave propagating in free space.
14-3. Describe a spherical wavefront.
An isotropic radiator is a point source that radiates power at
a constant rate uniformly in all directions. It can produce a
spherical wavefront with radius R.
14-4. Explain the inverse square law.
Because the area of the sphere increases in direct proportion
to the distance from the source squared, the power density is
inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the
source.
14-5. Describe wave attenuation
The reduction in power density with distance is equivalent to
a power loss.
14-6. Describe wave absorption
It the ions collide with other particles, they dissipate the
energy that they have acquired from the electromagnetic
wave.
14-7. Describe refraction. Explain Snells law for refraction
Sometimes referred to as the bending of the radio-wave path.
It is actually the changing of direction of an
electromagnetic ray as it passes obliquely from one medium
into another with different velocities of propagation.
14-8. Describe reflection
Electromagnetic reflection occurs when an incident wave
strikes a boundary of two media and some or all of the
incident power does not enter the second material.
14-9. Describe diffraction. Explain Huygens principle.
Diffraction is defined as the modulation or redistribution of
energy within a wavefront when it passes near the edge of an
opaque object.
14-10. Describe the composition of a good reflector
Reflection from a perfectly smooth surface is called
specular (mirrorlike) reflection.
14-11. Describe the atmospheric conditions that cause
electromagnetic refraction
14-12. Define electromagnetic wave interference
Radiowave interference occurs when two or more
electromagnetic waves combine in such a way that system
performance is degraded.
14-13. Describe ground wave propagation. List its advantages
and disadvantage.
Ground wave is an Earth-guided electromagnetic wave that
travels over the surface of Earth. Its disadvantages that it
requires a relatively high transmission power, are limited to
very low, low, and medium frequencies, vary considerably
with surface material and composition. Its advantages are
that if given enough transmit power, ground waves can be
used to communicate between any two locations in the world,
and are relatively unaffected by changing atmospheric
conditions.
14-14. Describe space wave propagation
It includes both direct and ground reflected waves.
14-15. Explain why the radio horizon is at a greater distance
than the opticals
14-16. Describe the various layers of the ionosphere
 1. D Layer is the Lowest Layer of the ionosphere and is
located approximately between 30 miles and 60 miles
above Earths Surface.
2. E Layer is approximately between 60 miles and 85 miles
above Earths Surface
3. F Layer is made up of 2 layers, the F1 and F2 layers.
14-17. Describe sky wave propagation
Sky Waves are electromagnetic waves that are directed above
the horizon level.
14-18. Explain why ionospheric conditions vary with time of
day, month of year, and so on
Because of the ionospheres nonuniform composition and its
temperature and variations, it is stratified.
14-19. Define critical frequency; critical angle
Critical frequency is defined as the highest frequency that can
be propagated directly upward and can still be returned to
Earth by the ionosphere. Critical angle is the frequency at the
maximum vertical angle at which it can be propagated and
still be refracted back by the ionosphere.
14-20. Describe virtual height
Virtual height is the height above Earths surface from which
a refracted wave appears to have been reflected.
14-21. Define maximum usable frequency
MUF is the highest frequency that can be used for sky wave
propagation between two specific points on Earths surface.
14-22. Define skip distance and give reasons that it varies
Skip distance is defined as the minimum distance from a
transmit antenna that a sky wave at a given frequency will
be returned to Earth. It varies by their distance that are
called rays. The Lower Ray and the upper, or Pedersen, ray.
14-23. Describe path loss
Path Loss is often defined as the loss incurred by an
electromagnetic wave as it propagates in a straight line
through vacuum with no absorption or reflection of energy
from nearby objects.
14-24. Describe fade margin
To accommodate temporary fading, an additional loss is
added to the normal path loss. This is called fade margin.
14-25. Describe fading
Fading is the variation in signal loss and can be caused by
natural weather disturbances, such as rainfall, snowfall,
fog, hail and extremely cold air over a warm earth.

MANUEL S ENVERGA UNIVERSITY FOUUNDATION

 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CHAPTER 14 QUESTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE PROPAGATION

SUBMITTED BY:
JOHN VICTOR ADEL T. LIWAG
BSECE-IV

SUBMITTED TO:
ENGR. SHERWIN C. LAGRAMA
SCORE
SEPTEMBER 19,2017