Physics of Life 4. Wave phenomena

Wave phenomena include any propagation of energy through waves. This includes electromagnetic radiation (which includes light and a range of other phenomena) and sound (which is energy propagated through pressure waves). Both are imporatnt to life because both are rich media for transmission of information, through vision or hearing. Wave phenomena also have implications for the Earth's global energy balance, with effects on Earth climate. They also play a role in the interaction of the Earth with the solar wind, with implications for the evolution and patterns of extinction of life on Earth.