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Re: [Phys-l] radio vs. light



I bit on a loss leader and have found only about two articles in the 6 months "enlightening".
I think it is the result of an attempt to increase readership for concomitant profit. [What else would you expect from bc?]

I heard the last? ed. of The Amateur Sci. was kicked because of his religion. This was a surprise to me, as I wouldn't know it from his published work in Sci. and Tech'gy. This was by an ed. who I thought was a civil libertarian.

bc, not renewing, and thought the only advantage of light was increased bandwidth.

p.s. Shawn the penultimate (I have this reversed?) has published the complete Amateur Scientist + on CD, which I recommend to all. I subbed from the mid 50s intermittently -- I went to the Am. Scientist. first! I couldn't believe they'd dropped it.

Kilmer, Skip wrote:

That's why I hope to discuss it in class. I'm trying to teach my students to read and evaluate "scientific" articles.
One concern I had is that this article exemplifies the continuing dumbing down of a formerly enlightening magazine. I've been subscribing since the 60s, and comparing the quality of several decades ago with what they are putting out now is discouraging.
sk

-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Roger Haar
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 1:49 PM
To: Forum for Physics Educators
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] radio vs. light

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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Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
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_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l

_______________________________________________
Forum for Physics Educators
Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l