Several factors can make waves bigger than others, including strong winds that generate larger swells, longer distances for swells to travel and build up, interference from multiple wave sources, and underwater features such as reefs that can amplify wave height.
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Waves can be bigger or smaller than the maximum theoretical size due to factors such as the depth and shape of the seafloor, wind speed and direction, and interactions with other waves. These variables can cause waves to amplify or decrease in size as they travel across the ocean.
Microwaves have a moderate penetrating ability compared to other EM waves. They can penetrate materials like food and some plastics, but can be absorbed by metals and water. This property makes them useful for cooking and telecommunications.
Examples of longitudinal waves other than sound include seismic waves (such as P-waves and S-waves), ultrasonic waves used in medical imaging, and waves in slinkies or springs. These waves propagate through a medium by causing particles to vibrate parallel to the direction of wave travel.
Infrared waves have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies than visible light waves, making them invisible to the human eye. They are primarily felt as heat because they carry thermal energy. Infrared waves are commonly used in technology for applications such as night vision, thermal imaging, and remote controls.
Bigger waves in some regions are typically due to factors such as stronger winds, longer fetch (distance over which the wind blows), and topographic effects that funnel and amplify wave energy. Regions with open ocean exposure, consistent wind patterns, and steep underwater topography tend to experience larger waves.