A radio is tuned to Washington, DC, SportsTalk 980 when it is suddenly and for no apparent reason covered by the wire mesh seen in the photograph below.

What happens to the sound of the radio after the wire mesh is in place?

After placing the wire mesh on the radio, the radio will:

• (a) be louder.
• (b) be softer.
• (c) remain at about the same volume.

To see the answer, click Read More on 1/9/15

 

The answer is (b): the sound will get softer - in fact, the sound ceases entirely!  Click your mouse on the photograph below see and hear the experiment.

The wire mesh acts as a Faraday cage for the radio waves, stopping the radio waves from entering the cage and getting to the radio.  This mesh will be effective for all radio waves with wavelength somewhat longer than the spacing of the mesh.