Contextualization

The phenomenon of waves is something present in our daily lives more than we imagine. Whether in the propagation of light, in the transmission of information through our cell phones, in the sound that travels to our ears, in the undulation of ocean waves, or even in the earthquakes that shake the earth. Here we see the diversification of the phenomenon, which leads us to two distinct but intimately related concepts: electromagnetic waves and mechanical waves.

A wave is a disturbance that propagates through space or through a medium (liquid, solid, or gaseous). Mechanical waves, such as sound or waves in the ocean, need a medium to propagate, otherwise they do not exist. On the other hand, electromagnetic waves, such as light or radio waves, do not need a medium to propagate, they can travel through the vacuum of space.

Physics plays an essential role in our daily lives, it allows us to understand the fundamental rules that govern the universe. Understanding waves, whether electromagnetic or mechanical, allows us to understand natural phenomena, develop new technologies, and apply this knowledge in various fields, such as engineering, medicine, communication, among others.

Electromagnetic waves are essential in the communication technology we use today. Without them, we would not be able to watch television, use cell phones, or even browse the internet. Mechanical waves are present in acoustics, seismology, and in the fields of science and engineering that deal with the propagation of waves in the ocean, in the ground, and in other mediums.