The Science of Radio

From the reviews: "! The notes and problems at the end of each chapter are very helpful. [!] In the final analysis, the book is definitely worth owning. [!] It is an extremely well written -- but unusual -- book that I highly recommend for all physicists." The Physics Teacher

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The Science of Radio explains the working and charts the development of the ordinary AM radio receiver, which has become an integral part of our lives in the 80 years since its invention. As well as showing the reader the growth of technology in this century, the story of AM radio can provide a unique insight into the basics of electrical engineering, making the primary concepts and applications visual and comprehensible.
Taking a "top down" approach to the subject, Nahin starts with a broad overview of radio as a sociological and technological phenomenon, then describes specific advances in research that made radio possible, moving through deeper levels of technical detail as the story progresses. Readers will see how various concepts and theories are combined to achieve specific practical results. And the book's "just in time" method of introducing mathematical and physical theory only as needed to understand a topic, helps readers gain a firm grasp of often elusive material. By focusing specifically on the workings of AM radio, The Science of Radio offers both a fascinating history of radio as an information and entertainment medium and a practical, applications-oriented introduction to electrical engineering.
This second edition, written the same witty and accessible style as the first, also includes illustrative examples based on the popular MATLAB and Electronics Workbench programs now commonly used in engineering courses, as well as new technical material on differential amplifiers, more end-of-chapters problems, and additional historical discussion.