Chapter 22: Problem 59
What is the maximum power level of a radio station so as to avoid electrical breakdown of air at a distance of 0.65 m from the transmitting antenna? Assume the antenna is a point source. Air breaks down in an electric field of about \(3\times 10^6\) V/m.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Maximum power level is approximately \(5.23 \times 10^5\, \text{W}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Problem
We need to find the maximum power level of a radio station with an antenna acting as a point source, given that the air breakdown electric field is \(3 \times 10^6\, \text{V/m}\) at a distance of 0.65 meters.
02
Relate Electric Field and Power
A point source antenna emits electromagnetic waves, and the maximum electric field (breakdown field) relates to the power \(P\) through the formula for the electric field from a point source: \(E = \sqrt{\frac{2P}{c \varepsilon_0}} \cdot \frac{1}{r}\), where \(c\) is the speed of light, \(\varepsilon_0\) is the permittivity of free space, and \(r\) is the distance from the source.
03
Substitute Known Values
Substitute the known values: \(E = 3 \times 10^6\, \text{V/m}\), \(r = 0.65\,\text{m}\), \(c = 3 \times 10^8\, \text{m/s}\), and \(\varepsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12}\, \text{F/m}\) into the equation from Step 2: \[3 \times 10^6 = \sqrt{\frac{2P}{3 \times 10^8 \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12}}} \cdot \frac{1}{0.65}\]
04
Solve for Power \(P\)
Solve the equation for \(P\). First, square both sides to eliminate the square root: \[(3 \times 10^6 \cdot 0.65)^2 = \frac{2P}{3 \times 10^8 \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12}}\]Simplify and solve for \(P\):\[P = \frac{(3 \times 10^6 \times 0.65)^2 \cdot 3 \times 10^8 \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12}}{2}\]
05
Calculate Numerical Answer
Calculate the numerical value:\[(3 \times 10^6 \times 0.65)^2 = 3.94725 \times 10^{12}\]\[P = \frac{3.94725 \times 10^{12} \times 3 \times 10^8 \times 8.85 \times 10^{-12}}{2} = 5.23 \times 10^5\, \text{W}\]
06
Conclude the Result
The maximum power level such that the radio waves do not cause electrical breakdown of air at a distance of 0.65 m is approximately \(5.23 \times 10^5\, \text{W}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Electric Field Strength
Electric field strength is a measure of the force experienced by a unit electric charge placed in a field. It is represented by the symbol \( E \) and measured in volts per meter (V/m).
In electrostatics, the electric field around a charge is defined as the force per unit charge that a charged object experiences.
For electromagnetic waves, like those emitted by a radio station, the electric field strength is crucial because it determines how energy is transmitted through the air.
In electrostatics, the electric field around a charge is defined as the force per unit charge that a charged object experiences.
For electromagnetic waves, like those emitted by a radio station, the electric field strength is crucial because it determines how energy is transmitted through the air.
- When the electric field exceeds a certain level, known as the breakdown field, the air becomes ionized and can conduct electricity.
- For air, the breakdown electric field is about \(3 \times 10^6\) V/m.
Power of Radio Station
A radio station's power refers to the amount of energy it emits as electromagnetic waves per second, measured in watts (W).
The power of a radio station determines the range and intensity of the transmitted signal.
When analyzing the relationship between power and electric field strength, it's essential to understand the impact of a point source antenna.
The power of a radio station determines the range and intensity of the transmitted signal.
When analyzing the relationship between power and electric field strength, it's essential to understand the impact of a point source antenna.
- The electric field strength \( E \) at a distance \( r \) from such an antenna is given by the equation \( E = \sqrt{\frac{2P}{c \varepsilon_0}} \cdot \frac{1}{r} \).
- This relationship shows that the electric field strength is directly related to the square root of the power \( P \) and inversely proportional to the distance from the antenna.
Permittivity of Free Space
The permittivity of free space, denoted by \( \varepsilon_0 \), is a fundamental physical constant that characterizes how electric fields interact with vacuum.
It reflects the capacity of a vacuum to permit electric field lines and is measured in farads per meter (F/m).
The permittivity of free space is approximately \( 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{F/m} \).
It reflects the capacity of a vacuum to permit electric field lines and is measured in farads per meter (F/m).
The permittivity of free space is approximately \( 8.85 \times 10^{-12} \, \text{F/m} \).
- It plays a vital role in defining the strength of interactions between charges in vacuum.
- In the context of electromagnetic waves from a radio station, \( \varepsilon_0 \) is part of the equation relating electric field strength \( E \) with power \( P \): \( E = \sqrt{\frac{2P}{c \varepsilon_0}} \cdot \frac{1}{r} \).