What Is Light? What Are Radio Waves? - Bruce Sherwood

Drop a pebble into a pool and a water wave radiates outward. The wave consists of highs and lows in the water level. Light and radio and cell phone transmissions are also waves: they radiate outward from the sun, from radio antennas or from cell phones. What is "waving"? How are these waves created? Why are they called "electromagnetic?" Why is it that they can tan your skin or be sent and received on your radio or cellphone? We'll explore the amazing phenomena of electromagnetic
waves, which are the basis for many of today's technologies as well as for the behavior of the natural world around us.
Hear a radio interview with Sherwood on the lecture by the Santa Fe Radio Café (KSFR 101.1 FM) host Mary-Charlotte, podcast available here www.ksfr.org.