Waves
⭐ MasteredWaves carry energy from one place to another without carrying matter with them. Sound, light and water waves are all examples.
The sea waves you see move energy across the ocean, but the water mostly moves up and down.
All about Waves
A wave is a disturbance that carries energy from one place to another without carrying matter with it. Waves have crests, troughs, wavelength and frequency.
Sound, light and water waves all behave like this. Some waves need a material to travel through, while light can travel through empty space.
When a wave passes through water, the water moves up and down in place, while the wave moves forward. The high point of a wave is called the crest, and the low point is called the trough.
There are two main types of wave. Longitudinal waves push the material backwards and forwards in the same direction as the wave, like sound.
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Real-life uses of Waves
- Understanding how radios and phones send signals
- Explaining how sound reaches your ears
- Predicting ocean waves for surfers
Frequently asked questions about Waves
What do waves carry?
Waves carry energy, not matter.
Can light travel through space?
Yes. Light does not need a material to travel through, so it can cross empty space.