Revision guides: Waves

Waves cause a disturbance of the medium through which they travel. This allows them to carry energy. The quantity of energy carried relates to the amplitude of the wave.

Waves in the electromagnetic spectrum can all travel through a vacuum at the speed of light. The wide range of frequencies and wavelengths of different waves have a variety of uses.

Refraction occurs when waves travel from one material to another. For light, this can change both the speed and direction. Refraction of light takes place in many places, including lenses and prisms.