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What is a wave?
Beginner
A disturbance that carries energy without carrying matter.
waveA wave is a pattern of disturbance that travels through space, carrying energy and momentum but not matter. The medium's particles only oscillate around their positions.
A stadium wave moves around the arena while each person only stands and sits.
Waves transport energy, not material.
In more detail
A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter overall. Each particle of the medium oscillates about its own position.
Real-world uses
- Sound carries information from a speaker to your ears as a wave.
- Earthquakes send seismic waves through the ground that are detected by sensors.
- A Mexican wave in a stadium moves round the crowd while each person only stands up and sits down, showing energy travelling without matter moving along.
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Frequently asked questions
Does a wave carry water or air with it?
No. The medium moves only locally, while the disturbance travels onward.
Do all waves need a medium?
No. Light and other electromagnetic waves travel through vacuum.
Does a wave carry water or air with it?
No. In a water wave, the particles move in small circles and return to their places, while the energy moves forward.
Related topics in Waves & Sound
Mechanical vs electromagnetic waves · Transverse waves · Longitudinal waves