Question
A communications satellite in orbit sends a parallel beam of signals down to earth. If these signals obey the same laws of reflection as light and are to be focussed onto a small receiving aerial, what should be the best shape of the metal 'dish' used to collect them?
Solution
A communications satellite sends a parallel beam of signals down to the Earth. If these signals are to be focussed onto a small receiving aerial, then the best shape of the metal dish that can be used to collect them would be concave. The metal dish will behave like a concave mirror, which is a converging mirror.
Is there an error in this question or solution?
Solution A Communications Satellite in Orbit Sends a Parallel Beam of Signals Down to Earth. If These Signals Obey the Same Laws of Reflection as Light and Are to Be Focussed onto a Small Receiving Aerial, What Should Be the Best Shape of the Metal 'Dish' Used to Collect Them? Concept: Reflection of Light - Image Formation by Spherical Mirrors - Concave Mirror.
