Question

why are short waves used in long distance broadcasts?

Answer 1

Both long and short waves can cover the distance, but short waves are much faster than longer waves. So long waves take a little more time as compared to short waves.

Answer 2

(a) Long distance radio broadcasts use shortwave bands because only these bands can be refracted by the ionosphere. (b) It is necessary to use satellites for long distance TV transmissions because television signals are of high frequencies and high energies. Thus, these signals are not reflected by the ionosphere.