Physics - Properties of waves (Light and Sound)

Waves are oscillations that transfer energy and information without the transfer of matter. They can be categorized as transverse or longitudinal.

Transverse waves: The oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer (e.g., light waves, water waves).

Longitudinal waves: The oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer, consisting of compressions and rarefactions (e.g., sound waves).

Wave properties: Amplitude ($A$) is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium; Wavelength ($\lambda$) is the distance between two consecutive peaks; Frequency ($f$) is the number of waves passing a point per second measured in Hertz ($\text{Hz}$).

Reflection: The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence ($i$) is equal to the angle of reflection ($r$), measured from the normal.

Refraction: When a wave enters a medium of different optical density, its speed changes, causing it to bend. Light bends towards the normal when entering a denser medium ($n_1 < n_2$).

Total Internal Reflection (TIR): Occurs when light travels from a more dense medium to a less dense medium and the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle ($c$).

Sound properties: Sound requires a medium to travel (cannot travel in a vacuum). The pitch is determined by frequency ($f$), and loudness is determined by amplitude ($A$).

The speed of light in a vacuum is approximately $c = 3.0 imes 10^8 ext{ m/s}$, while the speed of sound in air is approximately $330 ext{--} 340 ext{ m/s}$.