| Describes | Propagation of a disturbance |
|---|---|
| Quantities | Amplitude, frequency, and wavelength |
| Caution | The movement of the medium is not the movement of the signal |
Definition and context
A wave describes the propagation of a disturbance. In a mechanical wave, interactions between parts of the medium transmit the change from one region to another. The advance of the signal must be distinguished from the local movement of each part.
We can imagine a mark on a rope: it oscillates near its position while a pulse advances. Following both movements separately helps us understand what travels. The elementary model does not include all the effects of a real wave in a fluid, where currents and net transport may occur. To apply a wave-based explanation, we need to identify the type of wave, the medium when one exists, and the conditions under which the chosen model works.
What we know and its limits
Introductory reference sheet. Properties and applications depend on measurement conditions; consult the sources before making comparisons.
Follow the evidence
The original sources for exploring this explanation and its limits.
- University Physics Volume 1 · Traveling Waves
OpenStax · Rice University
Traveling disturbances, transverse and longitudinal waves.
Image credits
SciClue · AI-generated illustration (OpenAI) · Original source · Recurso editorial de SciClue · generado con IA