Waves

Waves are all around us. Even a simple activity like reading a book or a computer screen involves waves. The photograph shows a girl who is relying on a scientist's knowledge of the way in which waves travel. Without wearing her glasses the page she is reading would look very blurred.

Light is only one example of a large number of waves which are important in our lives. These include the waves which bring us our radio and TV programmes, sound, waves on water, rope and in springs. Some types of wave can pass freely through a vacuum - a fact which is proved every day when the Sun rises. Other waves rely on having a material through which they pass. There is no sound in space because there is no material through which it can pass.

All waves have similarities in the way in which they behave. Scientists tend to be interested in measurements of similar wave properties no matter what type of wave is being investigated.

• Characteristics of waves
  • Reflection
  • Refraction
  • 'Uniform medium'
  • Concave and convex
  • Magnifying glass
  • Camera
  • Diffraction
  • Total internal reflection
  • Prisms
  • Prism - reflection and refraction
  • Optical fibres
  • Two types of wave
  • Measuring waves
  • Amplitude of a wave
  • Wavelength
  • Frequency
  • Velocity
  • Wave calculations
  • Waves transferring energy
  • High efficiency bulbs
• The electromagnetic spectrum
  • The electromagnetic spectrum of waves
  • Colour
  • Primary colours
  • Infra-red and ultra-violet
  • Laser light
  • Powers of 10
  • Effects and uses of electromagnetic waves
• Sound waves
  • Sound and ultrasound
• The Earth's waves
  • Seismic waves
• The eye
  • The eye - how we are able to see
  • Parts of the eye