Wave Motion Introduction A wave is a progressive disturbance in a medium, formed by alternating pressures and tensions, without any permanent displacement of the medium itself in the direction in which these stresses are propagated. This condition is readily observed on the surface of a pond. If a stone is thrown into the water then a series of waves is produced which radiate out until the bank is reached. If a plastic duck is placed in the pond, it will rise and fall as the wave passes underneath. There is no movement in the direction of wave travel. While the wave moves towards the bank, the water does not. The wave can be said to possess the following characteristics: The form of the wave moves outwards although the water itself does not The wave possesses energy obtained from the stone. With the passage of the wave, energy is lost due to friction and the further away from the source the smaller the wave The wave travels at a constant speed The wave is sinusoidal, it travels as a sine wave