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How do cell phones work? |
by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Think about everything a cell phone can do: It can work when you are in your house, in the car, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy, on the bus, at a restaurant, visiting your grandparents, playing at your friend’s house, and more! The amazing thing about cell phones is that they are able to pick up and make calls from just about anywhere!
Because it doesn’t have any wires, a cell phone works by sending signals through the air. Special towers that work like antennae collect the signals, and then send them back through the air and to the person on the other end of the phone! One of the neat things about cell phones is that this happens so quickly that when you use the phone, you’re not even aware of all the work required to send and receive these signals! Another important thing about cell phone is that they’re able to transfer these signals as you move. So, if you start a call in your driveway and finish it 20 minutes later when you get to school, the cell towers pass your phone’s signals along from tower to tower as you travel, without interrupting your conversation!
Today, most cell phones also do more than just make phone calls. Many phones also connect to the Internet, take pictures, play music, and more!
Remember, a grown-up's cell phone is not a toy, and you should always ask permission before using anybody’s phone.
Even though they’ve become really common, cell phones are a pretty new invention! The grown-ups in your family can probably remember the first cell phone they ever had.
Ask some friends and family members about their first cell phones. How big was the phone? How much did it weigh? What kinds of things did it do? What did its screen and buttons look like?
Think about how life would be different without cell phones. Would certain things be easier or more difficult??
Because it doesn’t have any wires, a cell phone works by sending signals through the air. Special towers that work like antennae collect the signals, and then send them back through the air and to the person on the other end of the phone! One of the neat things about cell phones is that this happens so quickly that when you use the phone, you’re not even aware of all the work required to send and receive these signals! Another important thing about cell phone is that they’re able to transfer these signals as you move. So, if you start a call in your driveway and finish it 20 minutes later when you get to school, the cell towers pass your phone’s signals along from tower to tower as you travel, without interrupting your conversation!
Today, most cell phones also do more than just make phone calls. Many phones also connect to the Internet, take pictures, play music, and more!
Remember, a grown-up's cell phone is not a toy, and you should always ask permission before using anybody’s phone.
Even though they’ve become really common, cell phones are a pretty new invention! The grown-ups in your family can probably remember the first cell phone they ever had.
Ask some friends and family members about their first cell phones. How big was the phone? How much did it weigh? What kinds of things did it do? What did its screen and buttons look like?
Think about how life would be different without cell phones. Would certain things be easier or more difficult??
