Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or empty space. It consists of oscillations or vibrations that move up and down or back and forth.
The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive points in phase, such as two crests or two troughs. It determines the size and shape of the wave.