A wave is a transfers energy through a space or object, but it does not move the particles in it.
If you stand on one side of a door and say 'Hi' a person on the other side will be able to hear you saying 'Hi'. This is because the vibrations that you made have travelled through the door to the other side, the energy moving from one particle of the door to another: but the door its self has not move, none of its particles have changed position.
surely particles in the air move to carry that sound, that is matter that is transferred
ReplyDeletewaves never transfer matter- they only transfer energy or information when it comes to signals.
ReplyDeleteWaves are made up of photons and are said to be massless they are made of electromagnetic energy and yes they do collide but very rarely as they are so small (or something like that) and when they do they form anti matter pairs do not quote me on this but I think that's right but you do not need to know this for GCSE physics
ReplyDeleteYes, light waves are made of photons :)
DeleteWaves can be waves of energy or waves of particles, or in fact, scientists are beginning to believe, both! It is an endlessly complex issue at the forefront of scientific discovery at this very moment in time, it's really very fascinating, the best way to get to grips with it is to watch a documentary about quantum mechanics or read a a book on the topic- I recommend Steven Hawkins Netflix series and 'How To Teach Your Dog Quantum Mechanics' by Chad Orzel. But in this case, and at this level and for this topic, all you need to know is that waves can transfer energy without moving particles.
ReplyDeleteWHY do waves transfer energy and information without transferring matter?
ReplyDeleteThis is a shorter and better explanation "Waves are able to transfer energy and information without transferring matter. For example, if you are pushing a swing, you are able to transfer energy to it without expelling any of your body matter. "
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