Polar Plots at Work

Microphones and antennas

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• A polar pattern plots sensitivity against direction.
• r = A + (1 − A) cos θ: omni (1), cardioid (½), figure eight (0).
• Nulls point where r = 0; the −3 dB points set the beamwidth.

Steps

1. Which way is a microphone listening?
2. Deaf at the back
3. From the side
4. Aim the null
5. Antennas too
6. Half power