If wavelength is just the distance between 2 consecutive waves, then shouldn’t waveheight be the determining factor on if it can reflect or pass through an object.

Question

For eg, in the wikipedia for radar, it says that they were only able to use radar with radio waves with a wavelength smaller than a plane’s length. But won’t wavelength be perpendicular to it’s direction of travel? But waveheigth is parallel, so won’t that be the deciding factor?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Wavelength determines the frequency of the wave, whereas waveheight determines the amplitude of the wave. Waveheight is an important factor in the wave having enough energy to reach the object and be reflected back.