Wave (physics)
From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A wave is a type of change that moves from one place to another.
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[edit] Examples of Waves
Waves are found everywhere in the natural world. Examples of waves:
- sound
- light[1]
- water waves
- earthquake waves
[edit] Properties of Waves
Waves have properties that can be measured. All waves are made by adding sine waves. Here is a picture of a sine wave: 
Sine waves can be measured too. The shape of a sine wave is given by its amplitude, phase, wavelength and frequency. The speed that the sine wave moves can be measured. The amplitude and wavelength of the sine wave is shown in the picture.
All waves are made by adding up sine waves. Waves also have amplitudes, phases, wavelengths, frequencies and speeds that can be measured.
[edit] Waves and Matter
Waves can move through matter. Some waves can move through empty space. Light waves can move through empty space. Sound waves cannot move through empty space.
Waves carry energy from one place to another when they move. Sometimes waves carry information from one place to another.
Usually, after a wave moves through matter, the matter is the same as it was before the wave. No piece of the matter is left in a different place than before. This is not always true.
[edit] Some Types of Waves
In matter:
- Transverse wave: the vibrations of particles are perpendicular to the direction of travel of the wave. Transverse waves have crests and troughs. Wave crests and troughs move along a travelling transverse wave.
- Longitudinal wave: the vibrations of particles are parallel to the direction of travel of wave. Longitudinal waves have compressions and rarefactions. Compressions and rarefactions move along a travelling transverse wave.
- Standing wave
- Travelling wave
- Solitary wave
Light waves can move through space. When light waves move through space, there are no particles to move. Sunlight gets to the earth by moving through space. Sunlight brings the earth energy and information.
