In physics, a wave is a way to transfer energy, such as light and sound, from one point to another without any particle of the medium being permanently displaced. It does not have a travel of matter from a source to a receiver. That means waves transfer energy without a transfer of matter. Waves arise from vibrations.

There are two types of waves in terms of the methods of vibration:

Transverse wave: the vibrations of particles are perpendicular to the direction of travel of wave. Transverse waves have crests and troughs. Wave crests and troughs move along a travelling transverse wave.

Longitudinal wave: the vibrations of particles are parallel to the direction of travel of wave. Longitudinal waves have compressions and rarefactions. Compressions and rarefactions move along a travelling transverse wave.

See also

• List of wave topics

Physics

Golf (fisika) | موجة | Вълна | Ona | Ton | Bølge | Welle (Physik) | Wave | Onda (física) | Ondo | Uhin | Onde | Onda (física) | 파동 | Gelombang | Onda (fisica) | גל | Pêl | Banga | boxna | Hullám | Gelombang | Golf (natuurkunde) | 波動 | Bülg | Fala (fizyka) | Onda | Волна | Valovanje | Таласи | Aalto | Mekaniska vågor | คลื่น | Chuyển động sóng | 波