A vertical automobile radio antenna is sensitive to electric fields that are polarized

Options

A. Horizontally
B. In circles around the antenna
C. Vertically
D. Normal to the antenna in the forward direction

Answer

To solve the question regarding the sensitivity of a vertical automobile radio antenna to electric fields that are polarized, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Structure of the Antenna
A vertical automobile radio antenna is typically a simple, vertical structure that is designed to receive radio waves. It is important to note that the orientation of the antenna plays a crucial role in its sensitivity to polarized electromagnetic waves.

**Hint:** Recall that the orientation of an antenna determines its interaction with the electric field component of electromagnetic waves.

### Step 2: Define Polarization of Electromagnetic Waves
Polarization refers to the orientation of the electric field vector in an electromagnetic wave. In this case, we are dealing with two types of polarization: vertical and horizontal. A vertical antenna is sensitive to electric fields that are polarized in the vertical direction.

**Hint:** Remember that the electric field vector's orientation relative to the antenna's orientation determines the sensitivity.

### Step 3: Analyze the Sensitivity of the Antenna
Since the question states that the vertical automobile radio antenna is sensitive to electric fields that are polarized horizontally, we need to clarify that a vertical antenna will primarily respond to vertically polarized waves. However, it can also pick up some horizontally polarized waves, but with reduced efficiency.

**Hint:** Consider how the alignment of the electric field with the antenna affects the reception of signals.

### Step 4: Conclusion
The vertical automobile radio antenna is most sensitive to electric fields that are polarized vertically. Therefore, it is not primarily sensitive to horizontally polarized electric fields.

**Hint:** Conclude by summarizing the relationship between the antenna's orientation and the polarization of the electric field it is sensitive to.

### Final Answer
The vertical automobile radio antenna is sensitive to electric fields that are polarized vertically.