* Line of Sight: Microwaves travel in straight lines. They are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, just like light.
* Earth's Curvature: The Earth's curvature means that a straight line between two points on the surface will eventually curve away from the ground.
How Microwaves are Used Over Long Distances:
1. Repeaters/Relay Stations: To transmit microwave signals over long distances, we use repeater stations. These stations receive the signal, amplify it, and retransmit it to the next station. This effectively breaks up the long distance into shorter, line-of-sight segments.
2. Satellites: For even longer distances, satellites are used. Signals are beamed up to a satellite in orbit, which then relays them to a receiving station on Earth.
Key Point: Microwave signals don't "bend" around the Earth. They travel in straight lines, and we rely on repeaters or satellites to overcome the limitations of Earth's curvature.
