What is the definition of waves in a physical context?

Waves can be defined as any disturbance that transmits energy from one location to another, without the net movement of matter. This description encompasses various types of waves, including mechanical waves, which require a medium (like sound waves traveling through air), and electromagnetic waves, which can propagate through a vacuum (like light waves). The essence of this definition lies in the idea that waves carry energy, allowing for the transfer of this energy across distances, which is fundamental in fields such as physics, engineering, and communication.

The distinction between waves and other concepts, such as static energy, electrical currents, and interference, is important. Static energy refers to energy that is stored in an object, like potential energy in a compressed spring, and does not imply transfer. A form of electrical current pertains specifically to the flow of electric charge, rather than a broader category of energy transmission. Electromagnetic interference relates to the disruption of electromagnetic signals or waves but does not define the nature of what waves are. Thus, recognizing that waves fundamentally serve to transmit energy clarifies their role and importance in physical science.