Wave motion is the transfer of energy through a medium by the oscillation of particles or disturbance of fields. It can be categorized into mechanical waves, which require a medium to propagate, and electromagnetic waves, which can travel through a vacuum.
The properties of a wave include amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed. Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position, while wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points of the same phase. Frequency is the number of complete oscillations per unit time, and speed is the rate at which a wave travels through a medium.
Waves can be classified based on their direction of propagation, the medium they travel through, and the type of oscillation. Some common types of waves include transverse waves, longitudinal waves, and surface waves.
Mechanical waves require a medium to propagate, while electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum. Mechanical waves also transfer energy through the oscillation of particles, while electromagnetic waves transfer energy through the disturbance of electric and magnetic fields.
When two or more waves meet, they can interact with each other in different ways. Depending on the phase relationship between the waves, they can either reinforce each other (constructive interference) or cancel each other out (destructive interference). This phenomenon is known as wave interference.