All waves exhibit different behaviors when they interact with different types of matter.
Transmission
Transmission of Sound Waves
Sound waves cannot transmit through the vacuum of space without a medium.
- Sound waves can only be transmitted through solids, liquids, and gases.
Transmission of Light Waves
- Light waves and all electromagnetic waves can transmit through the vacuum of space at the same speed.
- Transparent materials such as a window which allows most of the light that strikes them to pass through. Only a small amount of light is reflected or absorbed.
- Translucent materials transmit some light, but cause the light to to be scattered so no clear image is seen.
- Opaque materials allow no light waves to be transmitted through. Opaque materials do not have to be black. Any material that does not allow light to transmit through is considered opaque.
Speed of Transmission
Speed is a measure of the distance a wave travels in a certain amount of time.
- The speed of a wave is determined by the type of wave and the properties of the medium the wave interacts with.
- As a wave enters a different medium, the wave’s speed changes.
- All waves travel at different speeds in different mediums (media).
Speed of Sound
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Topic Tips
- Transmission of waves occurs when waves pass through.
- For light waves, materials can be classified as transparent, translucent, or opaque depending on how much light pases through.
- The speed of a waves transmission depends on the type of wave and the medium.