What happens to sky waves during communication?

Sky waves play a crucial role in long-distance radio communications, and the correct response indicates that they bounce off the ionosphere and the earth's surface. This phenomenon is known as sky wave propagation, where radio waves emitted from a transmitter travel upward into the atmosphere, reflecting off the ionosphere, which acts like a mirror for certain frequencies, and then returning back to the Earth over considerable distances.

This reflection allows for communication beyond the line of sight, making sky waves particularly valuable for AM radio and other forms of medium frequency radio communications. The ionosphere is stratified with varying atmospheric conditions that influence how and when the waves are reflected, which is why different frequencies can have varying effectiveness at different times of the day.

Sky waves do not travel directly to the ground without reflection, nor are they predominantly absorbed by terrestrial obstacles. While some absorption can occur, particularly at higher frequencies, it’s the reflection that primarily enables long-range communication. Additionally, the capability of sky waves allows for more than just short-range communication, facilitating connections over various distances depending on the frequency and environmental conditions.