Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of radio waves?

Radio waves are a type of electromagnetic radiation that have several defining characteristics, including speed, wavelength, and frequency.

Signal speed refers to the speed at which radio waves travel, which is typically the speed of light in a vacuum, approximately 299,792 kilometers per second (or 186,282 miles per second). This is a fundamental property of all electromagnetic waves, including radio waves.

Wavelength is the distance between successive peaks of a wave. For radio waves, this is a crucial aspect because it affects how the waves interact with various materials and the environment, impacting their propagation.

Frequency relates to the number of cycles of the wave that occur in one second. It is inversely proportional to wavelength; as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa. Frequency is a significant factor in determining how radio waves can be used in communication.

In contrast, temperature is not a characteristic of radio waves themselves. While temperature can affect the environment in which radio waves travel (for example, causing changes in atmospheric conditions), it does not define or characterize the waves in the way that speed, wavelength, and frequency do. Thus, identifying temperature as a non-characteristic of radio waves is correct.