Question

should the straight wire antenna of a radio be vertical or horizontal to best receive radio waves broadcast by a vertical transmitter antenna? how should a loop antenna be aligned to best receive the signals? (note that the direction of the loop that produces the best reception can be used to determine the location of the source. it is used for that purpose in tracking tagged animals in nature studies, for example.)

Answer 1

For best reception, a straight wire antenna should be vertical if the broadcasting antenna is vertical, and a loop antenna should be aligned with its plane parallel to the direction of the transmitted waves, which can indicate the source's location for tracking purposes.

Step-by-step explanation:

To achieve the best reception of radio waves broadcast by a vertical transmitter antenna, the straight wire antenna of a radio should also be vertical. This orientation aligns the antenna to be parallel with the electric field of the transmitted radio wave, which enhances reception. On the other hand, a loop antenna should be aligned so that it is perpendicular to the direction of the incoming waves. The optimum reception occurs when the plane of the loop is parallel to the direction of the radio waves, allowing for the maximal induction of current within the loop.

For tracking tagged animals in nature studies, researchers can determine the location of the animal by adjusting the direction of the loop antenna until the best reception is achieved. This would indicate that the animal is in the direction of the plane of the loop antenna.