What property of a radio wave defines its polarization?

• A. The wavelength of the radio wave
• B. The orientation of the electric field
• C. The amplitude of the magnetic field
• D. The frequency of the wave

Answer: (B)

The property that defines the polarization of a radio wave is the orientation of the electric field. Polarization refers to the direction in which the electric field vector of the electromagnetic wave oscillates as it propagates through space.

In radio communications, different types of polarization—including linear, circular, and elliptical—can be utilized for various applications and can significantly affect the performance of antennas and propagation characteristics. For example, in linear polarization, the electric field oscillates in a specific plane, while in circular polarization, the electric field rotates in a circular manner as the wave travels.

The other properties such as wavelength, amplitude of the magnetic field, and frequency have important roles in radio wave behavior and characteristics but do not directly determine polarization. Wavelength relates to the physical length of the wave, frequency deals with how many cycles occur per second, and amplitude refers to the strength or intensity of the wave. None of these properties encompass the directional orientation of the electric field, which is central to understanding polarization.