VainVeinyVane OP t1_j65y9rc wrote on January 27, 2023 at 11:06 PM

Reply to comment by zutnoq in [Electricity and magnetism] For a half-wavelength dipole antenna, why is the voltage distribution a quarter wavelength out of phase with the current? by VainVeinyVane

can you explain how it acts like a capacitor lol I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around it.

zutnoq t1_j67q8kj wrote on January 28, 2023 at 8:59 AM

A capacitor is essentially two plates of metal separated by a layer of insulator. The antenna is acting like one of those plates of metal, the air is the insulator and (the) ground is acting as the other plate.

Edit: in this specific case the other arm of the antenna is the other plate, if that wasn't obvious.