Which of the following describes a simple dipole mounted so the conductor is parallel to the Earth's surface?

A simple dipole antenna, when mounted parallel to the Earth's surface, primarily radiates radio waves that are horizontally polarized. This configuration allows the electric field of the radiated waves to be horizontal, making it effective for communications over certain distances and within specific frequency ranges. The horizontal polarization aids in achieving better performance for ground wave propagation, particularly in lower frequencies where the antenna can be close to or at the wavelength of the signal being transmitted or received.

Other antenna types mentioned, like ground wave antennas or rhombic antennas, do not specifically describe the orientation and polarization of a simple dipole mounted parallel to the ground. Similarly, a vertically polarized antenna differs significantly from a horizontally polarized antenna in terms of orientation and radiation pattern, as it would be mounted upright rather than flat along the ground. Thus, recognizing that a simple dipole aligned horizontally emits waves with a horizontal polarization is key to understanding its functionality in radio communications.