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# Wave Energy Waves are vibrations that carry energy. They exist from subatomic particles to the whole planet. ## Types of Waves There are two types of waves: * **Transverse waves:** Light waves vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of travel. Similar to ocean waves. * **Longitu...

# Wave Energy Waves are vibrations that carry energy. They exist from subatomic particles to the whole planet. ## Types of Waves There are two types of waves: * **Transverse waves:** Light waves vibrate up and down at right angles to the direction of travel. Similar to ocean waves. * **Longitudinal waves:** Sound waves vibrate particles in the same direction as the wave's motion. Examples include sound travelling through air, water, or rock. ## Measuring Waves Every wave has two basic measurements: * **Wavelength:** The distance between two consecutive wave crests. * **Frequency:** The number of wavelengths that pass a given point in one second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher frequency corresponds to higher pitch (sound) and shorter wavelengths. ## Interference When multiple waves meet, they interact. This is called interference. If the crests and troughs of two waves align, they combine to create a larger wave. If a crest meets a trough, they cancel each other out. ## Reflection All waves reflect when they hit an impenetrable surface. Light reflecting off a mirror, sound reflecting off a canyon wall and returning as an echo, are examples of reflection. The angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. ## Diffraction Diffraction is a process where waves spread out when passing through a gap or around an obstacle, that is smaller than its wavelength. Sound and light waves can diffract. ## Personality Plus **The Richter Scale:** In 1935, Charles Richter developed a scale to measure the strength of earthquakes. The scale measures the amplitude of seismic waves. Each number on the scale is 10 times more powerful than the number before it.