Describe how energy is transmitted in wave motion.

Energy in wave motion is transmitted through the oscillation or vibration of particles in a medium.

In more detail, wave motion is a type of disturbance that travels through a medium, such as air, water, or even a vacuum, carrying energy from one location to another. This energy transmission occurs as particles in the medium oscillate or vibrate about a fixed point, causing neighbouring particles to do the same. This creates a ripple effect, similar to what you see when you drop a pebble into a pond.

There are two main types of waves: transverse and longitudinal. In transverse waves, particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of the wave. Light and electromagnetic waves are examples of transverse waves. On the other hand, in longitudinal waves, particles oscillate parallel to the direction of the wave. Sound waves are a prime example of longitudinal waves.

The energy carried by a wave is directly proportional to the square of its amplitude. This means that if the amplitude of a wave is doubled, the energy it carries is quadrupled. This is why louder sounds (which have larger amplitudes) carry more energy than softer sounds. Similarly, brighter light (which has a larger amplitude) carries more energy than dimmer light.

The speed of the wave also plays a role in energy transmission. The faster the wave, the more energy it carries. This is because the energy of a wave is also proportional to the square of its speed. Therefore, if the speed of a wave is doubled, the energy it carries is quadrupled.

In summary, energy in wave motion is transmitted through the oscillation of particles in a medium. The amount of energy transmitted depends on the amplitude and speed of the wave. Understanding these principles is crucial in fields such as acoustics, optics, and even quantum mechanics, where wave behaviour is fundamental.