S….0 … S. As the Titanic sank, its radio officer sent out this distress call. Each click of the Morse code’s key temporarily closed an electric circuit. This circuit produced a spark, which created an invisible energy wave that travelled out from the sinking ship. These waves were detected by the antennae of other boats. The signal of the antennae was carried by wire to a receiver. There, the invisible waves were changed into an audible click.
Here’s an experiment that illustrates how sparks were used to send Morse code messages. All you’ll need is a carpet, doorknob and a radio.
Things Required:
Carpet
Metal doorknob
Radio
Directions:
Switch on a radio-set. Tune the radio-set to a frequency where no signal is detected. With the volume turned up, the radio-set should broadcast a low level of static.
Walk across a wool carpet wearing a pair of shoes. Approach a doorknob. While listening to the radio, reach out and touch the knob. What do you hear on the radio?
This Is What Happens:
Sparks create a form of energy called an electromagnetic wave. This wave travels outward through space. The antenna of a radio can detect this form of energy. The signals it captures are carried along wires to the circuitry of the radio. There, the signals are turned into sound, which becomes amplified and broadcast through the speakers of the radio.
