What Is the Difference Between AM & FM Radio Waves?
You often hear the phrases AM and FM in descriptions of radio stations, but what exactly does that mean? While consumers may not notice a difference in anything besides the letters, AM and FM radio waves are very different scientifically.
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History
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AM radio waves preceded FM technology, and for this reason AM carries some drawbacks. Volume range is more limited with AM radio waves, and AM radio waves are also more susceptible to weather changes and other sources of static. FM technology is more robust, and better suited to high quality music and intense vocals.
Basic Vocabulary
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AM stands for "amplitude modulation," whereas FM stands for "frequency modulation." Frequency in general is measured in hertz, but AM waves are measured in kilohertz, while FM waves are measured in megahertz.
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Function
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In order to transmit, AM radio waves adjust the amplitude of the wave--or how tall the wave is--while FM radio waves adjust how often the waves come, one after another.
Frequency
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The frequency of AM radio waves is far lower than the frequency of FM radio waves, and that is the main difference between the two.
Interesting Fact
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Radios can pick up both AM and FM frequencies, though FM technology--as a newer technology--is also used for television.
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Comments
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this is not a perfect answer.
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Yes; I like this--Television is Old, but it was the first FM, then radio went to FM as a result of Television Technology of the late 1940's.
