What are some examples of when waves are useful and harmful?

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Waves can be both beneficial and detrimental in various contexts. Helpful examples include sound waves that facilitate communication and radio waves that enable WiFi and cell phone usage, although there is some confusion regarding the classification of radio waves as electromagnetic waves that do not require a medium. Harmful examples include seismic waves that lead to earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as sound waves that can create disturbances. The discussion highlights the efficiency of waves in transferring energy across different forms. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for recognizing the dual nature of waves in our environment.
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Homework Statement



What are some examples of when waves are useful and harmful?

The Attempt at a Solution



The examples for helpful I have so far are sound waves that allow us to communicate with one another and radio waves that enables us to use WiFi and cellphones. However I am not too sure about radio waves because they are electromagnetic waves and in the textbook it states that all vibrations require a medium to transfer waves, but electromagnetic waves do not require a medium so I am unsure about radiowaves. I also added that waves are an efficient form of transferring energy : sound, radiation, and thermal.

The examples for harmful I have so far are seismic waves that cause earthquakes and tsunamis and sound waves that can be a nuisance at times.
 
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needingtoknow said:

Homework Statement



What are some examples of when waves are useful and harmful?

The Attempt at a Solution



The examples for helpful I have so far are sound waves that allow us to communicate with one another and radio waves that enables us to use WiFi and cellphones. However I am not too sure about radio waves because they are electromagnetic waves and in the textbook it states that all vibrations require a medium to transfer waves, but electromagnetic waves do not require a medium so I am unsure about radiowaves.
So what? The question was about waves, not "vibrations".

I also added that waves are an efficient form of transferring energy : sound, radiation, and thermal.

The examples for harmful I have so far are seismic waves that cause earthquakes and tsunamis and sound waves that can be a nuisance at times.
 
Think again about seismic waves and earthquakes: what is really the cause and the effect here?
 

Thread 'Magnitude of buoyant force in fluids of different densities'

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?
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