Questions: (write with your own words)

1. In the context of electromagnetic waves, what is an open propagation

medium?

An open propagation medium is where the electromagnetic waves are

not affected by some medium, this implies in a vacuum, the earth's
atmosphere can be considered like this

2. Within the propagation mediums, what is the meaning of the “Loss

Tangent”?

the relationship between the conduction current and the displacement

current in a specific medium is called the tangent of losses

3. How the propagation medium is classified according to the value of the

“Loss Tangent”?

the lower the tangent of losses, the lower the attenuation suffered by a
wave propagating through said medium, and therefore the lower the
power dissipated

4. Define the propagation parameters for waves traveling through a

medium (they are different from the wave parameters).

Application exercise:
The following 5-step exercise describes the method to characterize an
electromagnetic wave when propagating in an open environment, for which,
each student must choose 1 propagation media of the 5 proposed in Table 1
and announce it within the “Task 1” forum to avoid repetition
propagation médium: copper

1. Calculate the tangent of losses Tan (δ) and the angle of losses δ of the
medium chosen in Table 1, if through it travel an electromagnetic wave
E of frequency 𝑓=(𝐶𝐶𝐶+10)𝑀𝐻𝑧. Note that 𝐶𝐶𝐶 are the last 3 digits of
your identification number:

Data
f =( 920+10 ) MHz=930 MHz=930∗1 06 Hz

σ =5.80∗1 07 (conductivity copper)

ε ᴦ =1( permittivity of the medium)

1
ε 0= ∗1 0−9
36 π

σ 5.80∗1 07 S/ m
tan ( δ )= = =1.134∗1 09
ωϵ Hz∗1∗1
2∗π∗920∗1 06 ∗1 0−9 F /m
36 π
the angle of losses (δ)

δ =Ta n−1 ( 1.134∗1 0 9 )

δ =89. 99 °

2. According to the result obtained in point 1, classify the behavior of the

chosen medium according to one of the 5 options in Table 2:
Interpretation: according to the concept of Tangent of losses, explain the
meaning of the value obtained for 𝑇𝑎𝑛(𝛿).

the result of the loss tangent is very high, this means that copper is a good
conductor for electromagnetic waves, presenting low resistance to the passage
of these.
3. According to the classification obtained in point 2 and using Table 3 shown
below, calculate the following propagation parameters of the wave in the
chosen medium:
a. Propagation constant γ (gamma).
b. Attenuation constant α (Alpha).
c. Phase constant β (Beta).
Data
μ0=1.2566∗1 0−6 T m/ A

a. Propagation constant γ (gamma).

γ = √ jωσ μ0

γ = √ j∗2∗π∗920∗10 6 Hz∗5.80∗10 7 S /m∗1.2566∗1 0−6 N / A2

γ =458966.9089+458966.9089 j

b. Attenuation constant α (Alpha).

α =√ π∗f∗σ∗μ 0
α =√ π∗920∗1 06∗5.80∗1 07∗1.2566∗1 0−6
α =458966.9089 Np/m

c. Phase constant β (Beta).

β=√ π∗f ∗σ∗μ 0

β=√ π∗920∗1 06∗5.80∗1 07∗1.2566∗1 0−6

β=458966.9089 Rad /m

Intrinsic impedance.
ƞ=√ jω μ 0 /σ
 2∗π∗920∗1 06∗1.2566∗1 0−6
ƞ=
√ 5.80∗1 07
ƞ=0.007913+0.007913 j

4. According to the results obtained in point 3 and using the following

equations, calculate the propagation characteristics of the wave in the chosen
medium:
a. Propagation speed 𝒗𝒑.
b. Wavelength 𝝀.
c. The penetration depth of the 𝜹𝒑 wave in the medium.

ω
vp=
β
 2∗π∗920∗10 6 Hz
vp =
458966.9089 Rad /m
v p =12594.66 m/ s

2π
λ=
458966.9089 Rad /m

λ=1.36∗10−6

1
δ p=
|α |
1
δ p=
|458966.9089 Np/m|
δ p=217.88∗1 0−9

Interpretation: according to the concepts explored, explain the meaning of the

value obtained for each of the propagation characteristics 𝑉𝑝 ,𝜆 and 𝛿𝑝.

The speed of propagation of electromagnetic waves is inversely proportional

to the density of the medium in which it is propagated, this defines that the
phase constant is closely related to the wavelength
Write an example of the application of wave propagation in open media in our
environment.

R/: An example in which we can use the propagation of electromagnetic

waves in copper is the communication of the television signal through the
coaxial cable, where it is necessary to use amplifiers to increase the distance.