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Waves:
Waves are disturbances that propagate through a medium or space, transferring energy without transferring matter.
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Classification:
- Mechanical Waves: Require a medium (solid, liquid, or gas) to travel through. Examples: sound waves, water waves, seismic waves.
- Electromagnetic Waves: Can propagate through a vacuum and do not require a medium. Examples: light waves, radio waves, microwaves.
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Key Characteristics:
- Amplitude: Maximum displacement of particles from their equilibrium position.
- Wavelength (λ): Distance between two consecutive points in phase.
- Frequency (f): Number of complete oscillations passing a point per second (measured in hertz, Hz).
- Period (T): Time taken for one complete oscillation (T = 1/f, measured in seconds, s).
- Wave Speed (v): Speed of wave propagation (v = λf).
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Types of Waves:
- Transverse Waves: Particle vibration perpendicular to wave direction (e.g., electromagnetic waves).
- Longitudinal Waves: Particle vibration parallel to wave direction (e.g., sound waves).
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Wave Behavior:
- Reflection: Bouncing of waves off a boundary or obstacle.
- Refraction: Bending of waves due to change in medium.
- Diffraction: Bending of waves around obstacles or through openings.
- Interference: Combination of waves resulting in constructive or destructive interference.
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Applications:
- Used in communication (radio waves), medical imaging (X-rays), navigation (sonar waves), and music (sound waves).
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