Geophysics

Wave Motion A wave is the motion of a disturbance. A medium is a physical environment through which a disturbance can travel. For example, water is the medium for ripple waves in a pond. Waves that require a medium through which to travel are called mechanical waves. Water waves and sound waves are mechanical waves. Electromagnetic waves such as visible light do not require a medium. *Note: Waves are energy moving through the medium. Wave Types A wave that consists of a single traveling pulse is called a pulse wave. Whenever the source of a wave?s motion is a periodic motion, such as the motion of your hand moving up and down repeatedly, a periodic wave is produced.