Optical waves are a type of electromagnetic wave that fall within the visible spectrum, which is the range of light that can be seen by the human eye. These waves are characterized by their wavelength, frequency, and speed, and they play a crucial role in various phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and diffraction. In addition to visible light, optical waves include ultraviolet and infrared waves, which are not visible to the naked eye but have important applications in fields like photography, communication, and medicine. Understanding optical waves is essential for developing technologies such as lasers and fiber optics.