MCAT Physical

A comprehensive introduction to the fundamental concepts of physics as tested on the MCAT, including mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity, and more.

Advanced Topics

Waves, Sound, and Light

Everything Vibrates

Waves transfer energy without transferring matter. They explain how we hear music, see colors, and even how X-rays work.

Types of Waves

  • Mechanical waves: Need a medium (sound waves in air).
  • Electromagnetic waves: Can travel through a vacuum (light, radio waves).

Sound

  • Produced by vibrating objects.
  • Travels faster in solids than in gases.

Light

  • Part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
  • Behaves as both a wave and a particle (wave-particle duality).
  • Can reflect, refract, and diffract.

Why It Matters

Understanding waves helps explain how medical ultrasounds work or why rainbows form.

Examples

  • Explaining how a tuning fork creates sound waves.

  • Describing how lenses focus light in glasses.

In a Nutshell

Waves describe how energy moves, including sound and light essential for life and technology.