What is the difference between an aerial and an antenna?

Answer 1

i think.... and i only think this, it may not be correct, an antenna transmits as well as receives, an aerial only receives

there is no difference between antenna and aerial. According to British spelling it is called Aerial and according to American English antenna. So there is no difference just the English

In the U.S. sometimes antenna is used for rigid structures used to transmit or receive radio signals, while aerial is used for a simple wire hung between insulators used to transmit or receive radio signals.

Answer 2

The main differences have to do with their frequency of operation: AM radio and SW radio antennas operate at much lower frequencies than TV and FM radio antennas. An optimal low frequency antenna is much longer (and is usually operated in "quarter wave" mode to reduce its length) than an optimal high frequency antenna (which is usually operated in "half wave" or even "full wave" mode). However these differences are typically more significant at the transmitter antenna than at the receiver antenna.

AM radio receivers often use a nonadjustable ferrite coil antenna or flattened coil antenna hidden inside the receiver to produce the effect of a long nearly optimal antenna in a small space.

TV and FM radio antennas are often an adjustable whip antenna or rabbit ears antenna mounted on top of the TV or radio, making it easier for the user to optimize reception on different stations.