ABSTRACT
This chapter describes various wave properties and explains unrelated physical phenomena. It considers how waves may be described physically and mathematically. The chapter is concerned with another important phenomenon that involves waves, namely electromagnetic radiation. Interference is a phenomenon that is associated with all sorts of waves and, like a number of other apparently unrelated physical phenomena, can be explained by considering the properties of waves. A characteristic feature of many waves is their ability to transport energy from one place to another, without any permanent change in the medium through which they are passing. Sound waves carry energy from a vibrating source such as vocal chords or a musical instrument. Having seen some examples of travelling waves, both transverse and longitudinal, the chapter presents a more quantitative description of travelling waves. Radio waves are at the long-wavelength end of the electromagnetic spectrum, and are so named because they are used to carry radio and television signals.
