Hi,I want to ask how can i refract or reflect radio wave

[Martin18]

Hi,
I want to ask how can i refract or reflect radio wave.
I know it can go trough my wall or glass in window(like wi-fi). But why does that happen? According to what we learned on physics lectures electromagnetic wave must refract or reflect when it goes from one optical medium to another. But later my teacher said that radio wave can pass trough wall without refraction or reflection.But my wi-fi signal is weaker when I'm sitting in room far away from router, so some part must be reflected...

Why does this happen ? OR would it be possible to reflect or refract my wi-fi signal with huuuuge wall or huuge mass of glass ? And what medium refract/reflect radio waves ?

Thanks

(This is not homework)

 

[Borek]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday_cage

 

[pergradus]

index of refraction is not constant over all frequencies. It may be that the index of refraction for wood and Sheetrock for a radio wave is almost identical to air and it would pass through with almost no reflection of refraction.

The fact that your wifi signal is weaker when you're far away from the router is more due to the intensity of the waves that drop off as the distance between you and the router antenna squared.

 

[Canticle]

As em waves are transmitted by atomic scattering ALL waves are refracted or diffracted in a dielectric medium, some very slightly, as in a diffuse plasma (ion cloud) and some almost completely absorbed. Different frequencies are slowed differently (prism), - (by polarisation mode dispersal - PMD) so 'refract' differently, as do different polarisations (look up 'birefringence' for materials with different refraction co-efficients subject to polarity (Frenel's 'n').
Radio waves are very long so are very little affected, the ARE however slightly refracted. Modulation of frequncies (FM - normally via a crystal oscillator) reverts the received signal to that transmitted, but digital methodology is now taking over.
But remember, the science you learn to pass exams is different to cutting edge reality, so ensure you also put down what the old textbooks say.

 

[sardar]

Hello,

Thank you for your question. Refraction and reflection of radio waves can occur when they pass through different mediums, just like with other types of electromagnetic waves. However, the extent to which they are refracted or reflected depends on several factors, such as the wavelength of the radio wave and the properties of the medium it is passing through.

In the case of your Wi-Fi signal passing through walls or glass, it is likely that the signal is being both refracted and reflected. Refraction occurs when the radio wave passes through a medium with a different density, causing it to change direction. This can happen when the radio wave passes from air to glass or from air to a solid wall. Reflection, on the other hand, occurs when the radio wave bounces off the surface of a medium, similar to how light reflects off a mirror.

The reason why your Wi-Fi signal is weaker when you are further away from the router is due to the attenuation of the signal. As the signal travels through the air and passes through different mediums, it loses strength and becomes weaker. This is why it is important to have a strong and clear line of sight between your device and the router to ensure the best signal strength.

To answer your question about whether it would be possible to reflect or refract your Wi-Fi signal with a huge wall or mass of glass, it is possible but it would depend on the size and thickness of the wall or glass. If it is thick and dense enough, it may cause significant reflection or refraction of the signal.

In general, any medium can refract or reflect radio waves, but the extent to which it does so depends on its properties. For example, glass and water are known to refract radio waves, while metals are known to reflect them.

I hope this helps to answer your question. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you.