What is a mechanical wave?

A mechanical wave is a disturbance that propagates through a medium due to the interaction of its particles. Unlike electromagnetic waves, mechanical waves require a <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/medium">medium</a> to travel, such as a solid, liquid, or gas. The <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/wave%20energy">wave energy</a> is transferred through the medium as particles oscillate around their equilibrium positions. These oscillations can be either parallel to the direction of wave propagation (longitudinal waves) or perpendicular to it (transverse waves).

Key characteristics of mechanical waves include:

• Amplitude: The maximum displacement of a particle from its equilibrium position.
• Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive points in phase (e.g., crest to crest or trough to trough).
• Frequency: The number of oscillations per unit time, typically measured in Hertz (Hz).
• Speed: The rate at which the wave propagates through the medium, determined by the properties of the medium.

Examples of mechanical waves include <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/sound%20waves">sound waves</a> (longitudinal) and waves on a string or water waves (transverse, although water waves can have both transverse and longitudinal components). The speed of a wave depends on the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/medium%20properties">medium properties</a> like density and elasticity.