In this work, an educational experience is described in which a microwave communication link is used to make students aware that all electromagnetic waves have the same physical nature and properties. Experimental demonstrations are linked to theoretical concepts to increase comprehension of the physical principles underlying electromagnetic waves. Moreover, students learn about the importance and historical development of communication systems, the basic principles of communication links, and the procedure to send information through an electromagnetic wave.1,2

Topics
Microphones, Tuning forks, Gunn diode, Oscilloscopes, Electromagnetism, Dielectric properties, Optical fibers, Optical properties, Educational aids, Abstracts
1.
A.
 
Niculescu
, “
Demonstration of light-wave communication for high school physics
,”
Phys. Teach.
 
40
,
347
–
350
(
Sept. 2002
).
https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1511591
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
2.
M.
 
Davids
,
R.
 
Forrest
, and
D.
 
Pata
, “
Teaching the fundamentals of cell phones and wireless communications
,”
Phys. Teach.
 
48
,
217
–
221
(
April 2010
).
https://doi.org/10.1119/1.3361985
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
3.
M. R.
 
Gallis
, “
Automating microwave optics experiments
,”
Phys. Teach.
 
40
,
217
–
219
(
April 2002
).
https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1474143
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
4.
C. L.
 
Andrews
, “
Microwave optics
,”
Phys. Teach.
 
2
,
55
–
63
(
Feb. 1964
).
https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2350721
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
5.
A. David
 
Olver
,
Microwave and Optical Transmission
(
Wiley
,
1992
), pp.
4
–
6
.
Google Scholar
 
6.
Gerd
 
Keiser
,
Optical Fiber Communications
, 2nd ed. (
McGraw-Hill
,
1991
), pp.
1
–
9
.
Google Scholar
 
7.
F. R.
 
Connor
,
Modulation
, 2nd ed. (
Edward Arnold
,
1982
), pp.
6
–
11
.
Google Scholar
 
8.
Allan W.
 
Scott
,
Understanding Microwaves
(
Wiley
,
1993
), pp.
362
–
367
.
Google Scholar
 
9.
Instruction Sheet for the PASCO Model WA-931: Microwave Modulation Kit (PASCO scientific, CA), ftp://ftp.pasco.com/Support/Documents/English/WA/WA-9318/012-02960D.pdf.
10.
Complete Microwave Optics System WA-9316A Experiment Guide 013-13906B (PASCO scientific, CA), http://www.pasco.com/file_downloads/product_manuals/Exp-Guide-Microwave-Optics-WA-9314C.pdf.
© 2014 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2014
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to The Physics Teacher and the American Journal of Physics as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.