Understanding Wave Propagation in a Medium

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In wave propagation within a medium, particles transfer energy to adjacent particles through interactions, primarily driven by their inertia. The mass of the medium's particles provides inertia, which is crucial for storing wave energy as kinetic and potential energy. This energy transfer occurs with minimal losses, allowing waves to propagate efficiently. Understanding these principles helps clarify how waves move through different media. The discussion emphasizes the significance of particle inertia in facilitating energy transfer during wave propagation.
fissionary
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I read somewhere that for a wave traveling in a medium a particle (of medium) "gives"(I am not sure if that is the right word) energy to adjacent particle.Is this correct? And if it is why and how does this transfer take place? Also what role does inertia of particle play in wave propagation?
 
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fissionary said:
I read somewhere that for a wave traveling in a medium a particle (of medium) "gives"(I am not sure if that is the right word) energy to adjacent particle.Is this correct? And if it is why and how does this transfer take place? Also what role does inertia of particle play in wave propagation?
"I read somewhere" is not a valid citation for this forum. Try to find it so that we can discuss exactly what it actually says.
 
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I read this section which is given below in our college notes.
Effect of mass of medium: Mass gives inertia to the particle of the medium. It helps to store the wave energy in the form of kinetic and potential energies of disturbed particle and transfers it to neighboring particle with no or less dissipative losses.
 

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