Re: [Phys-l] radio vs. light

[Roger Haar <haar@physics.arizona.edu>]

HI,

	I read the article and had the same concerns.
It is very bad physics.  The differences between
(visible) light or photons and radio waves is an
oversimplification but conveys some truth, but
it would have been much better if there had
been a sidebar clearly indicating that these
statements were simplification.


Thanks
 Roger Haar

Kilmer, Skip wrote:
> In the July Scientific American there is an article about using light for local wifi instead of radio. On p. 84 there is a sidebar comparing the two media, including several interesting statements:
> High transfer rates for radio depend on dangerously high power levels.
> Radio signals interfere with each other but photons do not.
> Out of phase radio waves can cancel each other out, but "destructive interference is impossible with light."
> I think this article would be a good discussion starter for my modern physics or waves course.
> Skip
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