Waves. Wave physics, characteristics and properties

09/05/2026

The online wave simulations on this page are a practical way to introduce you to wave physics. We will discover the characteristics and properties of waves, their most important types, and why wave physics is so important.

This Thematic Unit is part of our Physics collection

Electromagnetic Wave

Perturbation of electric and magnetic fields that self-propagates in a vacuum, carrying energy without the need for a material medium.

Longitudinal Wave

Wave in which the vibration of the particles occurs in the same direction as the wave propagation.

Mechanical Wave

Type of wave that strictly requires a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) in order to propagate.

Propagation Speed

Speed at which the perturbation travels, defined by the product of frequency and wavelength.

Transverse Wave

Wave in which the vibration of the particles is perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation.

Wave

Perturbation that propagates carrying energy without net transfer of matter, measured in joules (J) for the energy carried.

Wave amplitude

Maximum displacement of the perturbation from its equilibrium position or central value.

Wavelength

Physical distance between two consecutive points that are in the same state of vibration, measured in meters (m).

What are waves

Waves are disturbances that propagate through a medium or, in some cases, even in a vacuum, transporting energy without any net displacement of matter. In wave physics, we study both mechanical waves, which need a material medium to propagate, and electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum. Understanding what waves are and how they behave is essential for explaining everyday phenomena such as sound, light, and ocean waves, as well as for developing technologies in communication, medicine, and energy.

Characteristics of waves

Waves are described by a series of fundamental properties that allow them to be analyzed and compared. Among the most important are amplitude, which indicates the intensity of the wave; frequency, which determines how many complete cycles occur per second; wavelength, which is the distance between two consecutive equivalent points; and propagation speed, which indicates how fast the disturbance moves through the medium. In addition, waves have crests and troughs that represent the maximum and minimum points of displacement, facilitating their study in both mechanical and electromagnetic waves.

Properties of waves

Waves have various properties that determine how they interact with their environment and with each other. Among the most relevant are reflection, which occurs when a wave bounces off an obstacle; refraction, which is the change of direction when passing from one medium to another; diffraction, which allows waves to deviate when surrounding obstacles; and interference, which occurs when two or more waves overlap, generating reinforcement or cancellation patterns. These properties are essential for understanding everyday phenomena and for the development of technologies in acoustics, optics, and telecommunications.

Types of waves

In wave physics, waves are classified according to their mode of propagation and the medium in which they travel.

Mechanical waves

Mechanical waves require a material medium to propagate, such as sound in air or ocean waves. They are subdivided into:

Transverse: the vibration of the medium is perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

Longitudinal: the vibration occurs in the same direction as the wave’s movement.

Electromagnetic waves

Electromagnetic waves do not need a medium and can propagate in a vacuum. They include visible light, radio waves, and X-rays.

Importance of wave physics

Wave physics plays a fundamental role in many fields of science, technology, and everyday life. Thanks to its study, we understand natural phenomena such as sound, light, ocean waves, and earthquakes, and we develop technological applications such as telecommunications, medical imaging, acoustics, optics, and energy. Understanding waves and their properties allows us to design more efficient devices, improve information transmission, and explain complex phenomena in the universe, from radio waves to X-rays and visible light.

Electromagnetic Wave

Perturbation of electric and magnetic fields that self-propagates in a vacuum, carrying energy without the need for a material medium.

Longitudinal Wave

Wave in which the vibration of the particles occurs in the same direction as the wave propagation.

Mechanical Wave

Type of wave that strictly requires a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) in order to propagate.

Propagation Speed

Speed at which the perturbation travels, defined by the product of frequency and wavelength.

Transverse Wave

Wave in which the vibration of the particles is perpendicular to the direction of energy propagation.

Wave

Perturbation that propagates carrying energy without net transfer of matter, measured in joules (J) for the energy carried.

Wave amplitude

Maximum displacement of the perturbation from its equilibrium position or central value.

Wavelength

Physical distance between two consecutive points that are in the same state of vibration, measured in meters (m).

Explore the exciting STEM world with our free, online, simulations and accompanying companion courses! With them you’ll be able to experience and learn hands-on. Take this opportunity to immerse yourself in virtual experiences while advancing your education – awaken your scientific curiosity and discover all that the STEM world has to offer!

Wave simulations

Introduction. Water, sound and light

Make waves with a dripping faucet, an audio speaker or a laser! Adjust the frequency and amplitude, and observe the effects. Listen to the sound produced by the speaker and find out what determines the color of the light.

Waves in water

If a stone is thrown into a still pool of water, concentric waves are created and spread out around it. If the waves are generated next to a floating object, it can be observed that the object does not move and will only vibrate up and down. This is because, although the wave is displaced, the medium (water in this case) only vibrates vertically.

Sound waves

With this sound wave simulation we can explain how different sounds are modeled, described and produced. Design different sound wave models and determine the speed, frequency, period and wavelength.

Wave propagation

A wave transmits energy through a medium. The medium only vibrates, but does not move. Moreover, there are waves, such as electromagnetic waves, that do not need a medium.

Wavelength

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Isaac Newton

Galileo Galilei

1564

–

1642

The father of modern science who aimed his telescope at the heavens and challenged the world defending heliocentrism.

Joseph-Louis Lagrange

1736

–

1813

The master of analytical mechanics who unified physics without geometry and located space equilibrium zones.

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The supreme titan of mathematical analysis who unified the language of calculus and mastered science without sight.

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1630

The mathematical astronomer who shattered celestial geometric perfection by discovering the elliptical orbits of planets.

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Test your knowledge

What is a wave and what are its main characteristics?

A wave is a disturbance that travels through a medium or in space, transferring energy from one place to another without any net movement of matter. Its main characteristics include amplitude, which indicates the wave’s intensity; wavelength, the distance between two consecutive crests; frequency, showing how many waves pass a point per second; and propagation speed, which depends on the medium. Understanding waves is essential to explain everyday physical phenomena, from sound and light to tides and radio signals, and it also forms the basis for modern technologies like telecommunications and radar systems.

What is the difference between mechanical and electromagnetic waves?

Mechanical waves require a material medium to propagate, such as air, water, or solids, and their movement is linked to the vibration of the medium’s particles. Sound, ocean waves, and seismic waves are examples of mechanical waves. Electromagnetic waves, on the other hand, do not need a medium and can travel through a vacuum, carrying energy in the form of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. Light, microwaves, and radio waves are examples of electromagnetic waves. Understanding this distinction is crucial for knowing how different types of energy are transmitted and how we apply these concepts in daily life and modern technology.

How is it that we can hear music through the air if sound waves are invisible?

Even though we can’t see sound waves, they create vibrations in air particles that reach our ears. Our brain interprets these vibrations as sounds, melodies, or words. It’s fascinating to realize that something “invisible” becomes such a tangible experience, and this idea applies not only to sound but also to other waves like seismic or radio waves.

Does it make sense that light can travel through a vacuum if we usually associate movement with a physical medium?

Yes, and this is one of the most fascinating aspects of electromagnetic waves. Unlike mechanical waves, light and other electromagnetic waves carry energy through oscillating electric and magnetic fields, without requiring a material medium. This is why sunlight can reach us across millions of kilometers, something that wouldn’t be possible with a system dependent on physical particles.

So, how does the frequency of a wave affect what we perceive, for example, in sound or light?

Frequency determines many of the properties we experience: in sound, it affects pitch, whether we hear a high or low tone; in light, it affects color, from low-frequency red to high-frequency violet. So even if the propagation speed is the same, a change in frequency completely alters our sensory experience and how we interpret the information carried by the wave.