What is a Wave?
A wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance of one or more quantities, which can be described as a disturbance that travels through a medium from one location to another location. Waves can take the form of an elastic deformation or a variation of pressure, electric or magnetic intensity, electric potential, or temperature. They are characterized by periodic oscillations about an equilibrium value at a certain frequency. Waves can be found in various forms such as surface waves on water, sound in air, and light. They transport energy from one location to another without transporting matter, and they display phenomena such as reflection, refraction, and diffraction. Waves can be created by making a disturbance in a substance, such as dropping a pebble in water or shaking a Slinky.
