What happens if you don’t put your phone in airplane mode? - Lindsay DeMarchi

TED-Ed2 minutes read

Radio waves, used for communication between devices like cell phones, are becoming congested due to the increasing demand for ownership of wavelengths, potentially affecting communication systems and radio telescopes. Cell phones emit radio waves with different wavelengths to avoid interference, with signals so powerful they could be visible from Jupiter if seen by special eyes, especially during emergencies or when phones on planes send out strong signals in search of service.

Insights

  • The strength of phone signals is so potent that they could be visible from Jupiter if observed by specialized eyes, showcasing the power and reach of radio waves in modern communication technology.
  • The escalating need for wavelength ownership driven by Wi-Fi demand and the interference from electronic devices emitting radio waves pose a threat to communication systems, potentially saturating the radio spectrum and impeding radio telescopes crucial for astronomy research.

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Recent questions

  • What are radio waves used for?

    Communication between devices like computers and cell phones.

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Summary

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"Radio waves: communication, interference, and impact"

  • Radio waves, invisible signals beyond the spectrum of light, are used for communication between devices like computers, GPS systems, and cell phones, with the strength of phone signals being so powerful that they could be visible from Jupiter if seen by special eyes.
  • Cell phones emit radio waves to connect to networks, with different wavelengths assigned to each phone to avoid interference, especially during emergencies or when phones on planes send out strong signals in search of service.
  • The increasing demand for ownership of wavelengths due to Wi-Fi and the interference caused by electronic devices emitting radio waves are affecting communication systems, potentially leading to a saturation of the radio spectrum and impacting radio telescopes used for astronomy.
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