WAVES

&
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

MICROWAVES [ SENIOR PHYSICS GRADE 10 TO 12]

UTRAVIOLET INFRARED Prepared by T.H. Musondela

(Rusangu Secondary school)

Waves are disturbances which transmit energy from one place to another. There are two types of waves, longitudinal and
transverse waves.
LONGITUDINAL WAVES
These waves travel from the source in waves of compression, parallel to the direction of the moving wave. A longitudinal wave
is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the direction which the wave moves.
 Longitudinal waves are always characterized by particle motion being parallel to wave motion
Particle vibrating to and fro

Source direction of the wave

Longitudinal wave front appears as compressions and rarefactions

This wave is moving in this direction

Wavelength

Compression Rarefactions
Example of longitudinal waves
 Sound waves in air are longitudinal waves and earthquake P-waves
(i) Compression
Compression is the region of a sound wave in which the molecules are crowded together or a region where the separation of
the two nearest coils in a spring is the lowest.
(ii)A rarefaction
Rarefaction is the region of a sound wave in which particles are spread apart or a region where the separation of the two
nearest coils in a spring is further apart.
 What is a longitudinal wave?
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TRANSVERSE WAVES
A transverse wave is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction which the
wave moves.
These waves travel from the source at right angles to the direction of the wave. Light waves are transverse waves

source direction of the wave

The particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction in which the pulse moves. Transverse waves are always
characterized by particle motion being perpendicular to wave motion.
 Examples of transverse wave:
Water waves - ripples on the surface of a sea or lake
Electromagnetic waves (e.g. radio, microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays and gamma rays)
S - Waves - a type of earthquake wave.
WAVE FORMS OF TRANSVERSE
wavelength wavelength
crest

amplitude

troughs

AMPLITUDE, WAVELENGTH, FREQUENCY, AND SPEED

Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) × wavelength (m)
THE AMPLITUDE (A)
 Amplitude is the total distance between the crest of a wave and the centre line. Or
 Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the rest position of the wave.
The amplitude of waves produced depends on the source of the wave.
It's a distance, so can be measured in metres, centimetres, millimeters or smaller units of length.
THE WAVELENGTH (L)
 Wavelength is the distance between one peak (crest) of the wave and the next peak. Or
 Wavelength is the distance between two successive points which are moving in phase.
 Wavelength is the distance from the peak of one wave to the next one
For longitudinal wave, wavelength is the distance between two successive compressions or rarefactions. It’s a distance so can be
measured in metres, centimetres etc. It is sometimes given the Greek letter 𝜆 (lambda). It's also the distance between one part of
the wave and the next part which is at exactly the same stage of vibration - but 'peak-to-peak' is easier to remember.
THE FREQUENCY (F)
 Frequency of a wave is the number of complete waves passing a point each second.
 Frequency of a wave is the number of waves per second.
 Frequency of a wave is the number of cycles per second. This is determined by the source of the waves.

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 Average level

1 cycle 1 cycle

It's a 'number per second' so it's measured in /s or s-1; usually called hertz (Hz) after a German physicist.
NB. The frequency of any wave travelling from one media to another remains unchanged. However, their wave length may
either increase or decrease.
 the increase in wave length is due to the increasing speed of the wave.
 the decrease in wave length is due to the decreasing speed of the wave
 NB. The frequency of 3 Hz means in each second each particle of the wave undergoes 3 complete oscillations.
1 kilohertz = 1 kHz = 1000 H and 1 megahertz = 1 MHz = 1,000,000 Hz
For example: 100 complete sound waves enter your ear in a second (you'd hear a deep hum).
f = 100 per second = 100Hz F = 100 /s = 100 s-1

THE SPEED OF A WAVE

The speed of a wave (v) is just what it says. .It's the speed at which the vibrations in the wave move from one point to the next.
Wave speed is measured in metres per second (m/s, ms-1). For example: speed of sound in air = 330 m/s (approximate). Speed
of light in space = 300,000,000 m/s [Speed is distance travelled per unit time or in one second]
THE PERIOD OF A WAVE is defined as the time taken for one complete cycle".
1 1
The period = This can be rearranged to give Frequency =
Frequency Period
T
Time

T, is the time for one "cycle" of the wave. This is called the time period.
(1) Determine the frequency of the below

period

Time (sec.)

0.01 0.02

1 1
Frequency    100 Hz
period 0.01
(ii) Isobel sets up a ripple tank to produce 2 waves each second (i.e. frequency = 2 Hz). She times the waves 2 s to travel the
100 cm distance to the other side of the tank. She measures the distance between the waves as 25 cm: this is the wavelength.
A frequency of 2 Hz means one wave is produced every 0.5 s (this is known as the time period of the waves and is 1÷frequency).
In 0.5 s, waves move 25 cm, so we can find the speed using: Speed = distance / time S = 25cm / 0.5s = 50 cm / s
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 THE WAVE EQUATION;
There are three measured quantities in electromagnetic waves:
The speed(v), The wavelength(𝜆 )and The frequency f
They are linked by the following simple equation: Learn this for the exam:
Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) × wavelength (m) [v = f (𝜆)]
Worked examples
1. Calculates the speed of the wave whose wave length is 1500m and has a frequency of 200 kHZ
Answer Wave speed (m/s) = frequency (Hz) × wavelength (m) v = f (𝜆)
v = 200000 Hz × 1500 m remember (200 kHz = 200000 Hz)
v = 300 000000 m/s or 3 × 108 m/s
2. A wave has a frequency of 3.0 Hz and its speed is 1.2 m/s. calculates the wave length of the wave.
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑(𝑉) 1.2
 Answer wavelength ( 𝜆 ) = 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦(𝑓) = 3.0 = 0.4 m

3. What is the frequency of Radio 4 long wave that broadcasts at a wavelength of 1500 m?
 Answer Formula first: v=f𝜆
f = v/ 𝜆, we want the frequency so we must rearrange: Now put in the numbers:
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑(𝑉) 300000000 𝑚/𝑠
𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ(𝜆) = 1500 𝑚 = 200 000 Hz = 200 kHz (speed of radio wave = 3 × 108 m/s)

4. Bill counts 5 waves on a pond in 10 s. The distance between them is 80 cm. What is their speed?
5
 Answer 5 waves in 10 s. Distance between are 80 cm. Speed? Frequency = 10 = 0·5 Hz.

speed = frequency × wavelength = 0·5 × 80 = 40 cm/s

5. Lisa reads the back label of her microwave oven. It says frequency 2,450 MHz. The speed of microwaves is 3.00×108 m/s.
What wavelength are they?
 Answer Frequency = 2,450 MHz = 2,450×106 Hz and speed = 3.00×108 m/s. Speed = frequency × wavelength
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑(𝑉) 300000000
Wavelength ( 𝜆 ) = 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦(𝑓) = 2450000000 = = 0·122 m = 12·2 cm

6 Paul plays a note of wavelength 25 cm on his synthesizer. He knows the speed of sound is 340 m/s in air.
What is its frequency?
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑(𝑉) 340 𝑚/𝑠
 Answer 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑤𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ(𝜆) = 0.25 𝑚 = 1360 Hz

NB Wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency (λ ∝ 1 / ƒ). Large objects generally produce long wavelength, low
frequency sounds. Small objects generally produce short wavelength, high frequency sounds
Exercise
1. Earthquakes can produce three types of waves. One of these is a transverse wave called an s wave. A typical s wave travels at
5000m/s. Its wavelength is about 417 m. What is its frequency?
2. A sound wave has a frequency of 250 Hz .The speed of sound in air is 325m/ s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave in air.
3. The ultrasound has a wavelength of 1.2 × 10–3 m. The speed of the ultrasound in the human body is 1500 m / s.
Calculate the frequency of the ultrasound
4. An object that is dipping into a lake vibrates 120 times in 1.0 minute; producing ripples of wavelength 25 cm. calculate the
speed of these ripples.
5 A sound wave has a frequency of 250 Hz. what is the period of this wave.

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ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of electromagnetic waves and ranges from radio waves to gamma rays. When you
listen to the radio, watch TV, or cook dinner in a microwave oven, you are using electromagnetic waves. Radio waves, television
waves, and microwaves are all types of electromagnetic waves. They differ from each other in wavelength. Wavelength is the
distance between one wave crest to the next. The differences among these wave classes rest in their frequencies (and thus their
wavelengths).
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES ORDER OF DECREASING WAVE LENGTH
RADIOWAVES MICROWAVES INFRARED ( ROYGIBV ) ULTRAVIOLET X-RAYS GAMMA RAYS
VISIBLELIGHT
ASCENDING ORDER OF WAVE LENGTH
GAMMA X-RAYS ULTRAVIOLET ( VBIGYOR ) INFRARED MICROWAVES RADIOWAVES
RAYS VISIBLELIGHT

Notice these features:

The boundaries on the diagram are not distinct. Waves of wavelength 0.01 nm may be called X-rays or gamma-rays.
The shortest wavelengths are on the left and the longest wavelengths are on the right.
The most energetic waves are on the left, while the least energetic are on the right.
Therefore the shorter the wavelength, the more energetic the wave is.

Rabbits Mate In Very Unusual expensive Gardens

RADIO MICROWAVES INFRARED VISIBLE LIGHPT ULTRAVIOLET X RAY GAMMA RAY
From longer wave length shorter wave length

NB; Rabbits Mate In Very Unusual eXpensive Gardens is pneumonic to remind you of the order of electromagnetic
waves starting with Radio (longest wave length) to Gamma rays (shortest wavelength).
FEATURES OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
 All of them travel at the same speed (3.0 x 108 m/s) in a vacuum
 Electromagnetic waves travel in straight lines.
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  Electromagnetic waves transfer energy from a source as waves just like water waves. They have an electrical
component and a magnetic component, but you don't need to know the details of them at this stage.
 Electromagnetic materials do not need a material to travel through. They travel in a vacuum, which is why we see light
from the Sun, but don't hear its roar.
 All waves have a frequency. This means the number of waves per second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
 All waves have a wavelength. This is the length of one complete wave, the distance between two successive peaks. It is
measured in metres (m).
 When an electromagnetic wave (radiation) hits a material, it can be: reflected, like light in a mirror; absorbed, like heat
absorbed by a black surface; transmitted, or passed on, like light passing through glass.
 NB All electromagnetic waves are undeflected and neutral. They have an electrical component and a magnetic component,
but you don't need to know the details of them at this stage.

 RADIO WAVES
Wavelength: 10-1m to 104m
Sources: Transmitters (using inductance and capacitance), sparks (e.g., from brushes of unsuppressed motors).
Detection: Receivers containing inductance and capacitance which are set into resonance by the wave.
Uses: Medium range air-borne communication. Radio waves are used for broadcasting radio and TV programmes.
Comments;
 Radio waves can pass through fog and low clouds clearly. This is the reason why they are used in telecommunication.
 Have the longest wave lengths and low frequencies. The frequency of the electromagnet wave is inversely proportional
to the wavelength of the wave.
 Medium wavelength radio (sky waves) waves are reflected from an electrically charged region of the Earth's
atmosphere called the ionosphere.
There are five main classes of radio waves, they are:
 Ultra High Frequency (UHF) - 10-1m to 100m - TV, radar, airport control
 Very High Frequency (VHF) - 100m to 101m - FM radio
 Short Wave Radio (Ultra High Frequency) - 101m to 102m - Amateur radio, police, ambulances
 Medium Wave Radio (Ultra High Frequency) - 102m to 103m - AM radio (national stations)
 Long Wave Radio (Ultra High Frequency) - 103m to 104m - AM radio (international stations)

 MICROWAVES
Microwaves are basically extremely high frequency radio waves, and are made by various types of transmitter. In a mobile
phone, they're made by a transmitter chip and an antenna, in a microwave oven they're made by a "magnetron". Their
wavelength is usually a couple of centimetres.
Wavelength: 10-3m to 10-1m
Sources: Special electrical circuits (klystron, magnetron) .These are produced by accelerating electrons in a conductor. Stars
also give off microwaves
Detection: Resonance in similar special electrical circuits (also klystron, magnetron).
Uses:
 Microwave cookers use microwaves which give energy. Microwaves are absorbed by water molecules and fat
molecules in food, causing it to get hot as the molecules vibrate.
 Greatly used in air-borne communications (telecommunication), for example with mobile phones networks.
Microwaves which pass easily through the atmosphere are used to transmit information to satellites. The shorter the
wavelength the greater the bandwidth.
 Microwaves are also used by traffic speed cameras, and for radar, which is used by aircraft, ships and weather
forecasters
 Microwaves are also used in point to point "beaming" of energy, it has been suggested that orbiting power satellites
could simply "beam" the energy produced to earth based stations via microwave links. However this is still only theory
since security precautions would have to be considered to prevent these satellites from being hijacked and turned
against civilian areas for the purpose of frying people.

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DANGERS OF MICROWAVES:
 Prolonged exposure to microwaves is known to cause "cataracts" in your eyes, which is a clouding of the lens,
preventing you from seeing clearly (if at all!) So don't make a habit of pressing your face against the microwave oven
door to see if your food's ready!
 Recent research indicates that microwaves from mobile phones can affect parts of your brain - after all, you're holding
the transmitter right by your head. The current advice is to keep calls short.
 People who work on aircraft carrier decks wear special suits which reflect microwaves, to avoid being "cooked" by the
powerful radar units in modern military planes.
 Comments:
 Microwaves have wavelengths shorter than radio waves
 the longer microwaves' wavelengths are literally measured in centimeters. Contrast this with gamma rays, whose
wavelengths are sub-atomic in size. Many stars are microwave emitters.
 Micro waves are used to send telephone messages over long distances. They are sent from large dish on top of high
buildings or towers. Aerials are placed on top of buildings or towers so that the microwaves are not obstructed from
direct line of sight from transmitter to receiver. There several repeater stations between the transmitter and the receiver,
to boost the weakening signals as the waves travel.
Mobile phones use microwaves, as they can be generated by a small antenna, which means that the phone doesn't need to be
very big. The drawback is that, being small, they can't put out much power, and they also need a line of sight to the transmitter.
This means that mobile phone companies need to have many transmitter towers if they're going to attract customers
 INFRA-RED WAVES
Wavelength: 7.5 × 10-7m to 10-3m
Sources: All hot bodies. Infra-Red waves are also given off by stars, lamps, flames and anything else that's warm - including
you.
Detection: Photographic plates, heat sensitive detectors (e.g., thermometers), thermopiles.
Galvanometer
Radiation G

Lamp
Thermopile
Infrared is heat. When the radiation reaches the thermopile, the heat energy is converted into electrical energy. An e.m.f is
induced and a current flows causing a deflection in the galvanometer.
Uses: Infrared radiation is mainly heat. All moderately hot bodies emit infrared.
 This is often used to detect human beings (which, being constantly at 310K, are considered hot) by groups like the army
(for the killing of humans), and the police (for the prevention of the killing of humans).
 Firefighters also use infrared detectors to locate the sources of fires (which are naturally hotter than the
blazes around them).
 They are used for many tasks, for example, remote controls for TVs and video recorders.
 Physiotherapists use heat lamps to help heal sports injuries.
 Because every object gives off IR waves, we can use them to "see in the dark". Night sights kj;
weapons sometimes use a sensitive IR detector
 Infrared photography also enables pictures to be taken in the dark (no visible light) or in hazy conditions (when visible
light is scattered more than infrared).
 Infrared radiation is also used in optical fibres, like visible light. This was the original wavelength of the lasers used in
this communications method. Infrared is also used for point to point communications.
Comments:
 The use of Infrared in computer communications is governed by the IrDA
 Infra-red waves are just below visible red light in the electromagnetic spectrum ("Infra" means "below"). Infra-red
waves are heat, because they're given off by hot objects, and you can feel them as warmth on your skin. Infra-red
waves are called "IR" for short.
 Infra red waves are absorbed by air, but are readily transmitted by glass. Visible light is rapidly absorbed by glass.
Therefore infra-red is used for telecommunication by optical fibres.
 Hot objects cool by emitting infrared radiation. Black painted surfaces are good emitters of radiant heat. This is the
reason why car radiators are painted black
Dangers; the danger from too much Infra-Red radiation is very simple – overheating
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 VISUAL LIGHT
Wavelength: 3.5 × 10-7m to 7.5 × 10-7m
Sources: Very hot bodies (progressively red-hot, yellow-hot and then white-hot), discharge lamps (e.g., most bulbs),
phosphorence and fluorescence of other types of electromagnetic radiation into visible light. The surface of the Sun is around
5,600 degrees, and it gives off a great deal of light. White light is actually made up of a whole range of colours, mixed together.
We can see this if we pass white light through a glass prism - the violet light is bent ("refracted") more than the red, because it
has a shorter wavelength - and we see a rainbow of colours
LIGHT THROUGH A GLASS PRISM

Red
White light Orange
Yellow
Green
Blue
Indigo
Violet

Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain

INFRARED UTRAVIOET
RED ORANGE YELLOY GREEN BLUE INDIGO VIOLET

NB; Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain is pneumonic to remind you of the order of visible light starting with Red
(longest wave length) to violet (shortest wavelength).
Detection: Photographic plates, photocells, the human eye.
Uses:
 Cathode ray tubes, which emit light, are used for televisions, computer monitors and the like. LED displays are used for
cheap low resolution visual information. LCDs use the reflection of light for a similar goal.
 Bulbs are used for lighting which human beings and other animals then use as an aid for (amongst other things) location
resolving, navigation, communication, and peripheral/accessory movement (eg, lifting cups of tea).
 Apart from all the everyday types of visual communication there are a few other less obvious uses for visible light
(which do not depend on it's visible to humans property). One is for high-speed fibre optic links, where red light lasers,
green light lasers and (in the future) blue light lasers can carry digital data across long distances at very high speed.
With the emergence of the internet these high-bandwidth solutions hold the key to global information sharing since the
current infrastructure is not be capable of sustaining the emerging traffic.
 We use light to see things! As the Sun sends so much light towards our planet, we've evolved to make use of those
particular wavelengths in order to sense our environment.
 Light waves can also be made using a laser. This works differently to a light bulb, and produces "coherent" light. Lasers
are used in Compact Disc players, where the light is reflected from the tiny pits in the disc, and the pattern is detected
and translated into sound or data. Lasers are also used in laser printers, and in aircraft weapon aiming systems.
Comments:
 The label "Visible" light demonstrates the ego-centricity of the human race. The short side of infrared and the long side
of ultraviolet are separated by an extremely short band (relatively speaking) of radiation which is detectable by the
human eye. It is unlikely that another race of intelligent beings, if it had a different natively "visible" section, would
highlight the small part between the infrared and ultraviolet as being important.
DANGER
Too much light can damage the retina in your eye. This can happen when you look at something very bright, such as the Sun.
Although the damage can heal, if it's is too bad it'll be permanent RS

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 ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT
Wavelength: 10-9m to 3.5 × 10-7m
Sources: Ultra hot bodies, mercury vapor lamp, electric arcs (sparks).The mercury vapor lamp works by photoelectric effect
(exciting e- in the mercury and thus releasing photons of the right frequency).
Detection: Photographic plates, fluorescence of certain chemicals, photocells, photoelectric devices.
Testing the presence of ultraviolet radiation:
The radiation under test is allowed to fall on a fluorescent material. If it glows, the radiation is ultra-violet. Fluorescent materials
(substances) are substances that absorb ultra-violet rays and convert them into visible light.
Uses:
 Detecting forged ( counterfeit) bank notes in shops, and hardening some types of dental filling
 UV light produces vitamins (in particular Vitamin D) in the skin and this is used by doctors to treat vitamin D
deficiency and some skin disorders and causes sun-tans.it is also used by the skin to make melanin(brown pigment in
our skin)that protects us from harmful ultra-violet.
 It is used in photography cameras. Photography cameras have quartz lenses which allow ultra-violet to pass through.
 It is used in bacteriology to kill microbes some cells. Note, though, that UV light is harmful even in modestly large
doses. The shorter the wavelength the more dangerous the UV light is.
 You also see UV lamps in discos, where they make your clothes glow. This happens because substances in washing
powder "fluoresce" when UV light strikes them.
 When you mark your possessions with a security marker pen, the ink is invisible unless you shine a UV lamp at it.
 Hospitals use UV lamps to sterilize surgical equipment and the air in operating theatres.
 Food and drug companies also use UV lamps to sterilize their products
Comments:
 Ultra violet can be absorbed by glass. However, it can penetrate through quartz.
 UV light was found shortly after infrared (early 1800s). Much of the UV light emitted by the sun is absorbed by the
ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere. Since our eyes are especially sensitive to UV light, a UV lamp should never be
viewed directly.
 Snow-blindness, which is what skiers suffer from when skiing on sunny areas, is caused by UV. Manufacturers of
washing powders often add fluorescent powders to their products to live up to the claim that their product washes
whiter than white, since these powders will absorb UV light and reradiate it as bright visible light
DANGERS
 Large doses of UV can damage the retina in your eyes, so it's important to check that your sunglasses will block UV
 Large doses of UV cause sunburn and even skin cancer. Fortunately, the ozone layer in the Earth's atmosphere screens
us from most of the UV given off by the Sun. Think of a sun tan as a radiation burn! Light.
 X- RAYS : Wavelength: 10-11m to 10-9 m
Sources: The bombardment of targets of heavy atoms (typically tungsten) by fast moving electrons causes energy levels in the
target to change. When the target atoms' excited electrons drop back to their original level, they release fixed quanta of
electromagnetic energy. (This is called the photoelectric effect). Basically, X-rays are produced whenever electrons are rapidly
brought to rest by matter; however only < 0.5% of the electron's kinetic energy gets converted into these X-rays.
Detection: Photographic plates, fluorescence of certain chemicals (eg, barium platnocyanide) screens, ionization chambers
(similar to Geiger counters but at a higher pressure).
Uses:
 The most well known use of X-rays is for medical scans. These are commonly known as “x-rays”, this, of course, is
incorrect since this is the name of the wave not the method. The method is really called radiography or X-ray
photography. This form of detection uses it's fluorescence property.
 Another use of X-rays in the medical profession is the use of short wavelength X-rays in a fashion similar to gamma
rays for the killing of cancerous cells.
 Radiography is also used in industry for the examining of potentially damaged machinery to ascertain the cause of any
difficulties, or to verify castings or welded joints prior to distribution.
 X-Rays are also used with Bragg diffraction.
 Lower energy X-Rays don't pass through tissues as easily, and can be used to scan soft areas such as the brain
 X-Rays are also used in airport security checks, to see inside your luggage. They are also used by astronomers -
many objects in the universe emit X-rays, which we can detect using suitable radio telescopes
 Explain the properties of X-rays that enable an image of a bone to be produced.
 x- Rays are absorbed (stopped) by bone or do not penetrate bone (not reflected by bone) but pass through flesh/skin
/body, etc. or travel in straight lines

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DANGERS OF X- RAYS
X-Rays can cause cell damage and cancers. This is why Radiographers in hospitals stand behind a shield when they X-ray their
patients. Although the dose is not enough to put the patient at risk, they take many images each day and could quickly build up a
dangerous dose themselves
 GAMMA RAYS
Gamma rays are electromagnetic waves with shorter wavelength (higher frequency) than x-ray

Gamma rays

X-rays
Wavelength: < 10-11m
Sources: Gamma rays are emitted from the nuclei of radioactive atoms during decay. Radioactive decay is spontaneous. This
can occur when a neutron splits into an electron and a proton. K-capture also releases gamma radiation. K-capture is the capture
of the inner most electron, combined with one of the nucleus' protons, to make a neutron. In both cases, the new products are of a
slightly mass than the originals. This mass defect causes a release of gamma radiation (E = Dmc2).
On Earth gamma rays originate largely from cosmic radiation. One high-activity source of gamma rays is cobalt-60 (60Co).
Detection: Bubble chambers, Geiger counters (although these are not very sensitive to gamma rays, since the latter are not very
ionizing), photographic plates (silver iodide emulsion darkens when hit by gamma radiation).
USES ;
 Gamma ray sources are used to find flaws in pipes and vessels and to check the integrity of welds in steel.
 Even after it has been packaged, gamma rays can be used to kill bacteria, mould and insects in food. This process
prolongs the shelf-life of the food, but sometimes changes the taste. No radioactivity is produced in the material
irradiated by the gamma rays and thus food is perfectly safe .Gamma rays do not make radioactive.
 Gamma rays are also used to sterilize hospital equipment, especially plastic syringes that would be damaged if heated
because the have weak ionizing power and strong penetrating power.
 They are used to kill cancer cells without having to resort to difficult surgery. This is called "Radiotherapy” and works
because cancer cells can't repair themselves when damaged by gamma rays,
DANGERS
 Gamma rays cause cell damage and can cause a variety of cancers.
 Gamma rays cause mutations in growing tissues, so unborn babies are especially vulnerable
Comments: Gamma rays are the shortest waves we can detect with current instruments. They are very intense, penetrating and
dangerous to biological life, and must therefore be handled with care.
What is the difference between gamma rays and x-rays?
Gamma rays and x-rays, like visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light, are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. While gamma rays
and x-rays pose the same kind of hazard, they differ in their origin. Gamma rays originate in the nucleus. X-rays originate in the
electron fields surrounding the nucleus or are machine-produced.
The electromagnetic spectrum;
The following table puts waves in order of increasing wavelength and decreasing frequency.
Uses of Electromagnetic Waves
Wave Wavelength Use
Long Wave Radio 1500 m Broadcasting
Medium Wave Radio 300 m Broadcasting
Short Wave Radio 25 m Broadcasting
FM Radio 3m Broadcasting and communication
UHF Radio 30 cm TV transmissions
Communication, Radar
Microwaves 3 cm
Heating up food
Infra red 3 cm Communication in optical fibres, Remote Controllers ,Heating
Light 200 - 600 nm Seeing, Communicating
Ultra violet 100 nm Sterilizing, Sun tanning
X-ray 5 nm Shadow pictures of bones
Gamma rays <0.01 nm Scientific research /Killing Cancer Cells

The boundaries between various radio frequencies are agreed internationally. This is to stop stations from interfering with each other.
For example FM radio broadcasts occupy the frequency band 88 to 108 MHz .Above 108 MHz the band is occupied by the aviation
industry for communication and navigation aids for aero planes.
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 Note these conversions:
1 kHz (kilohertz) = 1000 Hz and 1 MHz (megahertz) = 1 × 106 Hz
HAZARDS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
We have seen that the shorter the wavelength, the more energetic the wave. This can produce hazards, and we must take
precautions to prevent these hazards from causing us harm.
Wave Wavelength Hazard Prevention
Long Wave Radio 1500 m No hazard
Medium Wave Radio 300 m No hazard
Short Wave Radio 25 m No hazard
FM Radio 3m No hazard
UHF Radio 30 cm No hazard
Microwaves 3 cm Heating of water in the body Metal grid
Infra red 3 cm Heating effect Reflective surface
Light 200 - 600 nm No hazard
Ultra violet 100 nm Can cause cancer Sun cream (or cover up)
X-ray 5 nm Causes cell damage Lead screens
Gamma rays <0.01 nm Causes cell damage Thick lead screens or concrete

SOUND WAVES
A Sound wave is longitudinal waves. A longitudinal wave (with compressions and rarefactions) occurs when the oscillations are
along the direction of the wave motion.
A Sound wave is a variation in pressure. A region of increased pressure on a sound wave is called a compression (or
condensation). A region of decreased pressure on a sound wave is called a rarefaction (or dilation)
A Sound wave Occurs (produced) when particles vibrate.

Sound waves are made by particles vibrating. These vibrations are passed along to nearby particles, which then pass them on
again. This is how sound waves travel along through solids, liquids and gases. When the particles vibrate near your eardrum,
your eardrum vibrates. This movement gets turned into an electrical signal,
which is then passed on to your brain.
Sound vibrations, or sound waves, are collected by the outer ear (those are the
things hanging on the sides of your head!) and travel into the ear canal, where
they bump up against the eardrum. The ear drum vibrates in sympathy with
these sound waves. As it vibrates, it moves a series of tiny bones in the middle
ear, which carry the vibrations to a fluid-filled tube called the cochlea in the
inner ear. The fluid inside the cochlea vibrates a series of tiny hairs called cilia,
which are attached to auditory nerves. The movement of these cilia stimulates
the nerves, and they send signals to the brain, which, in turn, processes these signals into the sounds we hear.
SOUND CANNOT TRAVEL IN SPACE, OR ANY OTHER VACUUM.
A vacuum is a space that is empty of everything, even air. You can see the sun, but you can’t hear the massive explosions that
are taking place there, as light can travel in space but sound can’t.

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Experiment to show that sound cannot travel in space where there is no air.
If you put a ringing alarm clock into a jar and pump the air out of the jar, the sound of the ringing will decrease as you pump out
the air. When most of the air molecules are out of the jar, not enough molecules remain to form sound waves and the ringing
sound stops
Initially, the air inside the jar is at atmospheric pressure. When the switch is closed, the striker is
seen vibrating and sound is heard. When the vacuum pump is switched on, the striker is seen
vibrating while the sound reduces as the air is removed from the bell jar. Eventually all the sound
cannot be heard. When the vacuum pump is closed and air is allowed to enter, sound again begins to
be heard
Conclusion; sound cannot travel in a vacuum or space because there are no air or particles

HOW AIR MOLECULES MIGHT LOOK AROUND A TUNING FORK

1 2 3
 A sound wave moves through matter, such as air, just like a wave moves through a slinky.
Look at tuning fork #1. When the tuning fork is at rest, the fork is surrounded by molecules in the air.
 As a tuning fork's prongs move apart because of a vibration, the molecules ahead of it are crowded together.(See tuning
fork #2). They look like they are being pushed together. They bump each other.
 As a tuning fork's prongs come back together,(see tuning fork #3) it leaves a region that has fewer molecules than usual.
The region of a sound wave in which the molecules are crowded together is a compression. The region of a sound wave in
which particles are spread apart is a rarefaction.
As a tuning fork vibrates, it causes molecules in the air to move. The molecules bump into other molecules nearby, causing them
to move. This process continues from molecule to molecule. The result is a series of compressions and rarefactions that make
up sound waves

Speed of sound
Sound waves travel in denser media. Sound waves are fastest in solids, followed by liquids and slowest in air. The aproximate
 speed of sound in air, which is a mixture of gases, is around 330 m/s, depending on air temperature.
 speed of sound in water, a liquid where particles are much closer together, is 1500m/s,
 speed of sound In glass, solid, where atoms are really close together and very tightly attached to each other is 5000 m/s.
speed in solids > speed in liquids > speed in gas. Speed of sound depends on the media, temperature and humidity.
 What is the correct order for the speed of sound in air, steel and water from the slowest to fastest?
A. air steel water B. air water steel C water air steel D water steel air

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AN EXPERIMENT YOU WOULD CARRY OUT TO MEASURE THE SPEED OF SOUND IN AIR.
(i) To determine Speed of Sound in air (Pistol Method)

pistol Stop watch

Observers A Known distance Observers B

 Observers A and B are positioned at a known distance (d, i.e. about 100 m apart) in an open field.
 Observer A fires a starting pistol.
 Observer B, on seeing the flash of starting pistol, Starts the stopwatch and then stops it when he hears the sound. The time
interval, t, is then recorded.
 Using the formula, Speed = distance / time. Hence, speed of sound in air is determined.
NB. The experiment must be repeated several times with the two observers exchanging positions. The readings recorded must be
averaged. This is done to compensate for the effect caused by the presence of the wind and to increase the accuracy of the
experiment. Many experiments that have been carried out show that the speed of sound at 0°I n air is approximately equal to 330
m/s.
SAMPLE QUESTION
In an experiment to determine the speed of sound in air, John and Hamweemba positioned themselves at 450 m apart in an open field. John
fired a starting pistol whilst Hamweemba, on seeing the flash of starting pistol, started the stopwatch and then stopped it when he heard the
sound. The time interval was found to be 1.36 s.
(a) Calculate the speed of air found in this experiment.
Answer is; Speed = distance / time = 450 / 1.36 = 331 m / s approximately.
(b) Explain one precaution they should have taken to ensure that the value of speed or velocity of sound was as accurate as possible.
Answer is; they should have exchanged positions and repeated the procedure several times and averaged their results.
(c) Name any two possible sources that can make the experiment not to be as accurate as possible.
Answer is: wind movement (direction of wind) and human reaction time error
(d) What assumption did use in this experiment?
Answer is; the speed of light is faster than the speed of sound.
ECHO SOUND
Sound can be reflected, refracted and diffracted which shows that it travels as a wave. The reflected sound (sound heard after an
interval of time) is called an echo. The incident sound and
 The incident sound and an echo have same speed and frequency.
The incident sound and an echo have different velocities since they have different direction and
 An echo sound has lower amplitude than incident sound since some sound energy is absorbed by the reflector (e.g. the flat wall)
To determine Speed of Sound in air using indirect method (echo method);

Distance s

Observer B Observer A
 Observers A and B stand at a distance s from large flat wall. Measure and record s with a measuring tape.
 Observer A claps, or bangs two blocks of wood together, and listens to the echo of the first clap.
 Observer B starts the stopwatch and counting from zero till the 50th clap. The time taken 𝑡1 is recorded.
t1
 Repeat step 3 to the average time for 50 claps. Hence, calculate the time interval t between successive claps. T =
50
 The speed of sound v can be calculated by the formula v = 2  dis tan ce
time
 Total distance traveled by the echo = 2s.

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SOLVED EXAMPLE
A loud sound is made in front of a tall building. An echo is heard 4 seconds after the sound is produced. If the speed of sound in
air is 320m/ s, how far away is the building?
Answer speed (v) 2 distance ⟹ 2 distance = 320 ⟹ distance = 640 m.
Time (t) 4
EXERCISE
1. A sonic tape measure is used to measure the length of a room. It measures a time interval of 0.060 s between transmitting a
sound pulse and receiving the echo. The speed of sound in air is 330m/s. How far is the reflecting wall from the tape measure?
2. Two students, A and B, are trying to use echoes to enable them to measure the speed of sound in air. They stand 240 m from
the school wall. Student A bangs the blocks together and, at the same time, B starts the stopwatch. B stops the stopwatch when
he hears the echo. The watch then reads 1.6 s. Calculate the speed of sound.
3. State the approximate speed of sound in air
Answer; 1. 9.9 m 2. 300m/s 3. 330 m/s
PITCH
Pitch is the highness or lowness of a sound. The pitch of a note is how high the note is. A man’s voice tends to have a lower
pitch than a woman’s voice. Bats make such a high-pitched noise that humans find it hard to hear.
 The pitch of a note depends on the frequency of the wave.
 The higher the frequency of the wave the higher the note (pitch).
 The shorter the wavelength of the wave the higher the note
 High frequency sounds have shorter wavelength than low frequency sounds
The frequency of a sound wave does not change as the sound wave propagates
HIGH FREQUENCY SOUND WAVES LOW FREQUENCY SOUND WAVES

 This is how high or low a sound seems. A bird makes a high pitch. A lion makes a low pitch
STRING INSTRUMENTS

String instruments have strings stretched over a box or board. The violin, guitar and banjo are string instruments. Sound is made
by plucking the strings. (The piano is a percussion instrument because its strings are struck.)
The pitch of these instruments depends on the length, thickness and tightness of the strings
 The longer the string, the fewer the vibrations and, therefore, the lower the pitch.
 Tight, thin strings make sounds with high tones.
 Loose, thick strings make lower tones.

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Sound vibrations from the outside world are conveyed through this system until they reach the brain, and we hear the sound
WIND INSTRUMENTS

Have you ever blown a whistle or have blown across the top of an open bottle to make sounds?
In wind instruments, such as the trumpet or flute, air is blown through small openings into a tube or pipe. The stream of air (air
column) in the instrument vibrates. In some wind instruments a reed is used. The reed vibrates back and forth across the air
column.
The pitch that is produced depends upon the length of the air column and how fast it is vibrating.
 A long air column produces low-pitched sounds. A short column produces high-pitched sounds.
 In the human voice, speaking and singing sounds are produced by air columns made to vibrate by the vibrating
Sound is a form of energy.
 Try this test. Put your index and middle finger on your neck. Say the word "Aah" as loud as you can. Then try it as soft
as you can. You not only hear a sound, but you can feel a movement inside your throat. When you say, "Aah", your
vocal cords vibrate. That means they move quickly back and forth. As your vocal cords vibrate they produce sound
LOUDNESS
Loudness is the amount of audibility of sound. How quiet or louder a sound is depends on the amplitude of the sound wave. The
louder a sound, the more energy it has. This means louder sounds have large amplitude
 The greater the amplitude of the wave the louder the sound
 The smaller the amplitude of the wave the softer the sound
LOUD
SOFT

The more energy the sound wave has the louder the sound seems. The intensity of a sound is the amount of energy it has. You
hear intensity as loudness.
Remember the amplitude, or height of a sound wave is a measure of the amount of energy in the wave. So the greater the
intensity of a sound, the greater the amplitude is.
QUALITY OF SOUND
The quality of sound (timbre) depends on the shape of the wave. Timbre of sound wave is influenced by the fundamental
frequencies and other frequencies. The frequency of the simple wave produced by the simplest back-and-forth motion (i.e., the
first mode of vibration) is called the fundamental frequency. It is the first harmonic of the complex wave.

PLEASANT SOUND NOISE

A pleasant sound has a regular wave pattern. The pattern is repeated over and over. But the waves of noise are irregular. They do
not have a repeated pattern.

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 On what does the pitch and loudness of sound depend on?.
AUDIBLE FREQUENCIES
 A healthy human ear can hear sound frequencies from about 20 Hz to 20,000Hz (0.02 KHz to 20 kHz). As people age, they
often have trouble hearing high frequencies
 The lower frequency limit for human hearing is around 18 to 20 Hz. Frequencies below the range of human hearing are
infrasonic.
 The upper frequency limit for human hearing is around 18,000 to 20,000 Hz. Frequencies above the range of human
hearing are ultrasonic.
USES OF ULTRASOUND
 Cleaning instruments: Ultrasonic, being very high frequency vibrations waves can be used to clean delicate instruments
such as in antique clocks and watches - can also be safely cleaned without having to take the equipment apart. The instrument is
held in a liquid. The ultrasonic waves make the liquid particles vibrate at a high frequency, which cleans the surfaces of the
equipment. In fact, really dirty teeth can be cleaned superbly in this way
 Detecting flaws and cracks in metal: This works in the same way as scanning babies in the womb. The ultrasonic waves
bounce off different surfaces in the metal. The time it takes for the waves to bounce back to the receiver allows us to work out
the depth the wave has travelled into the metal
 Ultrasound are used in Hospitals to look at babies in the womb (pre-natal scanning)
When the source vibrates it produces ultrasound which comprises alternate series of compressions and rarefactions
traveling into the body. The ultrasound waves are reflected by various tissues in the body and the reflected waves are
picked up by the receiver.

Most of you will be familiar with the idea that unborn babies can be photographed - if rather unclearly - by using ultrasound.
This is safe compared to X-rays, which may damage the child.
Apart from giving parents the first photograph for the album, it allows doctors to check for certain birth defects, checking its size
and even if there is more than one!
ULTRASOUND TREATMENT
 Its use in scanning goes far beyond pregnancies. Many other parts of the body are analysed using it (bladder gallstones,
the heart, etc.) but it doesn't even stop there. Aero plane wings can be checked for cracks that would be invisible on the
surface
 A receiver compares the length of time it takes for the ultrasound waves to be detected. The longer the time it takes for
the wave to reach the receiver the deeper into the body the wave has gone. This information is then used to build up a
picture of the baby in the womb, which is then shown on a visual display, like a computer screen.
Ultrasound waves are used in sonar as well as in medical diagnosis and treatment. Sonar, or sound navigation ranging,
is a method of using sound waves to estimate the distance to, size, shape and depth of underwater objects.

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 Let us take a look at a typical question about SONAR and depth at sea:
A ship sends a pulse of ultrasound and receives an echo 0·3 seconds later. If the speed of sound in water is 1500 m/s, calculate
its depth.

Distance
Speed = Time distance = speed × time
distance = 1500 × 0·3 = 450 m
BUT this is the total distance travelled by the sound - so the depth is
half of this.
450
Depth = 2 = 225 m

Be careful - when dealing with reflected sound (echoes) exam questions

often try to trick you into using the total distance, not the one you want.

Looking at Sound
We are all used to hearing different sounds. We describe the differences in various ways: loudness (loud, noisy, quiet, etc.) and
high or low pitch.
One way of investigating differences in sound is to use a microphone connected to an oscilloscope. The microphone turns sound
waves into an alternating electrical voltage which the scope displays on a screen
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. The diagram shows a water wave in a ripple tank. The wave has a speed of 20 cm / s at R. The wave crosses a boundary PQ where it changes
its wavelength from 5 cm to 3cm.
Hint!
P S
R

NB. The frequency of any wave

travelling from one media to another
5 cm 5 cm Q 3 cm 3 cm remains unchanged. However, their
wave length may either increase or
What is the velocity of the wave? decrease
A 4 m/s B 8 m/s C 12 m/s D 16 m/s
2. A vibrator sends a ripples a cross the surface of water. They run closer together as they travel further from the vibrator.
This shows that the ripples. A decrease in frequency B speed up C slow down D increase in frequency
3. A wave of frequency 1000 Hz emits a wave of wavelength 0.1 m. How long does it take for the waves to travel 2500 m?
A. 2.5 s B 4.0 s C 25 s D 100s.
4. Which type of waves is longitudinal?
A light wave B radio waves C sound waves D water waves
5 The quality (timbre) of waves depend on
A. frequency B speed C shape D wavelength
6 On what does the pitch and loudness of sound depend on?
Pitch loudness Pitch loudness
A amplitude frequency B frequency amplitude

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C frequency speed D speed frequency
7 Which of the following, in the electromagnetic spectrum, has the shortest wavelength?
A infrared B microwave C radio D ultra-violet
8. The diagram shows a dipper producing circular waves in a ripple tank.

dipper

circular waves direction of waves

Which wave property describes the number of waves passing point X per second?
A wavelength B speed C frequency D amplitude
9 What is a property of all electromagnetic waves? They
A. are deflected by magnets. B are positively charged. C travel at the speed of sound. D travel through a vacuum.
10. What is the approximate frequency range which can be heard by the human ear?
A 2 Hz – 20 Hz B 2 Hz – 200 Hz C 20 Hz – 2000 Hz D 20 Hz – 20 000 Hz

ANS 1 C 2 C 3 C 4 C 5 C 6 B 7D 8 C 9 D 10 D
EXERCISE
1 A VHF radio station broadcasts at a frequency of 60 MHz (6.0 × 107Hz). The speed of radio waves is 3.0 × 108 m/ s. What
is the wavelength of the waves broadcast by the station?
2.The period of a wave is 10 s. Find the frequency of the wave.
3. A student is clapping in front of a vertical wall which is 80 meters away. The wall reflects the sound.

80 m

The student changes the number of claps made in 1 minute until the reflection of each clap returns to her at exactly the same
time as she makes the next clap. The speed of sound in air is 330 m/s.
(a) Explain what is meant by speed.
(b) Calculate the time between claps.
(c) Calculate the number of claps in 1 minute
Answers: (1). 5 m (2) 0.1Hz 2 (a) distance travelled per unit time or in one second (b) 0.48s; (c) 123(.75) or 124

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. (a) Define ultrasound.
 (sound) too high a frequency to be heard or (frequency) above 20 kHz
(b) The ultrasound has a wavelength of 1.2 × 10–3 m. The speed of the ultrasound in the human body is 1500 m / s.
Calculate the frequency of the ultrasound.
 f =) v/λ or v = f λ , f= 1 250 000 Hz
(c) Ultrasound is a longitudinal wave. Describe how particles in the body move as the ultrasound passes.
 Vibrate/oscillate in same direction as/parallel to wave/energy or horizontally
(d) There are small bubbles of gas in the body. Explain why these bubbles expand and contract as the ultrasound passes.
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  Pressure increases and decreases or compressions and rarefactions or particles come together and move apart
2. Give two differences between longitudinal and transverse waves.
In transverse waves particle vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave while in longitudinal waves vibrations
are parallel to the direction of the wave.
Transverse have crest and troughs while longitudinal have compressions and rarefactions
1. Give two similarities between longitudinal and transverse waves.
Both transmit energy from the source and both have wavelengths
3.(a) what are the similarities among electromagnetic waves
All of them travel at the same speed (3.0 x 108 m/s) in a vacuum
Electromagnetic waves travel in straight lines.
Electromagnetic waves transfer energy from a source as waves just like water waves. They have an electrical component and
a magnetic component, but you don't need to know the details of them at this stage.
Electromagnetic materials do not need a material to travel through. They travel in a vacuum, which is why we see light from
the Sun, but don't hear its roar.
All waves have a frequency. This means the number of waves per second. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz).
All waves have a wavelength. This is the length of one complete wave, the distance between two successive peaks. It is
measured in metres (m).
When an electromagnetic wave (radiation) hits a material, it can be: reflected, like light in a mirror; absorbed, like heat
absorbed by a black surface; transmitted, or passed on, like light passing through glass.
(b) What are the differences in electromagnetic waves
They have different wave lengths and frequencies
4. A wave travels along a stretched spring.
(a) Describe what is meant by a compression and rarefaction of a sound wave.
(i) Compression
Compression is the region of a sound wave in which the molecules are crowded together or a region where the separation of
the two nearest coils in a spring is the lowest.
(ii)A rarefaction
Rarefaction is the region of a sound wave in which particles are spread apart or a region where the separation of the two
nearest coils in a spring is further apart.
(b) Label the compression and rarefaction of the above wave.

C R C R C C R C
(c)What is the wave length of a sound wave?
 Wavelength is the distance between two successive compressions or rarefactions
(d) Sound waves also contain compressions and rarefactions. Give one other similarity between the motion of particles in a
sound wave and the motion of coils in the stretched spring.
 Both the particle of sound waves and the coil of a spring oscillate in the direction along the direction of the wave.
Multiple choice answers

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 TEST
1 Some sailors use sound waves to measure the depth of water beneath their ship. A pulse of sound is transmitted to the sea bed
and returns to the ship. Fig. 1.1 shows the arrangement.

Path of pulse sound wave

Sea bed

Fig. 1.1
(a) State why the pulse of sound returns to the ship.
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) Sound is a longitudinal wave. Explain what is meant by a longitudinal wave.
........................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(c) The time taken for the sound pulse to reach the sea bed and then return to the ship is 0.10 s. The speed of sound in sea water
is 1500m/ s. Calculate the depth of the sea.

Depth = ....................................................................................................................................................................................... m [3]

2 (i) State the speed of the radio waves as they travel through the air.
speed = .................................................................................................................................................................................... m/ s [1]
(ii) Explain what is meant by the frequency is 27MHz.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................[2]
(b) A wave travelling along the surface of water has a wavelength of 8 cm and a frequency of 5 Hz.
(i) State whether the wave is transverse or longitudinal. Explain your answer.
......................................................................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) Calculate the speed of the water wave.
speed = .............................................................................................................................................................................. cm / s [2]

3 Fig. 1.2 shows some regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, arranged in order of increasing wavelength.
Increasing wavelength

X-ray region ultraviolet infra-red radio

(a) Name the type of electromagnetic wave found in the region that is not labelled.
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(b) State the speed in a vacuum of electromagnetic wave.
.................................................................................................................................................................................................. m/s [1]
(c) Which of the regions shown in Fig. 5.1 refers to waves of the highest frequency?
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................[1]
(d) Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. Explain the meaning of transverse.
....................................................................................................................................................................................................
(e) A sound wave has a frequency of 250 Hz .
(i) The speed of sound in air is 325m/ s. Calculate the wavelength of the wave in air.
wavelength = .............................................................................................................................................................................. m [2]
(ii) The sound wave passes from air into steel. State what happens to the speed and to the wavelength of the wave.
speed ....................................................................................................................................................................................................

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wavelength ......................................................................................................................................................................................[2]

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