| Example of a Mechanical Wave |
Waves in water serve as an example of a mechanical wave. |
| Traveling Waves, Reflection, Interference, and Polarization |
The simplest forms of traveling waves are transverse and longitudinal waves. Important wave properties include reflection, interference, and polarization. |
| Standing Waves, Line Spectra, Resonance, and Energy Transfer |
The generation of standing waves, line spectra, and the relationship of resonance and energy transfer are discussed. |
A mechanical wave is a disturbance that moves, or propagates, through a material, carrying energy with it. Such a wave is also called a traveling wave. The particles of the material are only temporarily displaced and return to their original locations after the wave passes. In this section we study several examples of mechanical waves.
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