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Wave Optics

Question
CBSEENPH12038350

Two towers on top of two hills are 40 km apart. The line joining them passes 50 m above a hill halfway between the towers. What is the longest wavelength of radio waves, which can be sent between the towers without appreciable diffraction effects?

Solution

Distance between the two towers = 40 km 
Size of aperture, a = 50 m
Distance of aperture from tower, Zf

Fresnel distance is the half of the distance between the towers. 

i.e., z= 402 = 20 km = 20 × 103 m.
Therefore, now using the formula, 

Fresnel distance, ZF =a2λ 

we have,       λ = a2ZF = (50)220 × 103

                   λ = 125 × 10-3 m = 12.5 cm. 

This is the required longest wavelength of radio waves, which can be sent in between the towers without considerable diffraction effects.