When a wave passes through a certain medium, the particles of the medium move with the wave. For example, a sound wave propagates through air via air molecules, which move from the source to receiver.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a sound wave, the particles of the medium (such as air molecules) oscillate back and forth in the direction of the wave propagation, but they do not travel with the wave. The energy of the wave moves through the medium, while the particles themselves only experience local oscillations.

When a Wave Passes Through a Certain Medium, the Particles