Question

European robins are migratory birds that use the earth's magnetic field to help them orient themselves. But there is evidence that the electromagnetic waves used for cellular phones and other communication interfere with their ability to navigate. Tests have shown that exposure to electromagnetic waves with a magnetic field amplitude of 85 nT can adversely affect a robin's ability to navigate. A typical rural cell phone tower emits 50 W of electromagnetic waves. How far from the tower would a bird need to be to stay below an 85 nT magnetic field threshold?

Answer 1

To determine the distance from the tower that a bird would need to be to stay below the 85 nT magnetic field threshold emitted by a typical rural cell phone tower, we can use the formula: Magnetic field strength = (Power / (4 * pi * distance^3)). Solving the equation will give us the distance.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the distance from the tower that a bird would need to be to stay below the 85 nT magnetic field threshold, we can use the formula:

Magnetic field strength = (Power / (4 * pi * distance^3)

Here, the magnetic field strength is given as 85 nT and the power emitted by the tower is 50 W. We can rearrange the formula to solve for the distance:

Distance = ((Power / (4 * pi * magnetic field strength))^(1/3)

Substituting the given values into the formula, we get:

Distance = ((50 W / (4 * pi * 85 nT))^(1/3)

Solving this equation will give us the distance from the tower that a bird would need to be to stay below the 85 nT magnetic field threshold.