The Physics of Waves: Understanding Energy and Mediums
Explore the physics of waves and wave propagation. Learn how energy travels through mediums as a disturbance without moving the substance itself.
Best quote from The Physics of Waves: Understanding Energy and Mediums
A wave is a disturbance that propagates from the place it was created, allowing energy to travel from point A to point B without the medium itself actually leaving the garage.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
Teach me about Waves and wave motion in physics.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the study of wave mechanics, a wave is defined as a disturbance that propagates, or travels, from the location where it was originally created. This process allows energy to move from point A to point B. While it may look like the substance is flowing, the wave is actually an invisible force using a medium, such as water or air, as a vehicle to travel without the vehicle ever leaving the garage.
Energy transfer occurs when a disturbance moves through a medium. Using the physics of waves, we can see that the energy takes a stroll through the substance while the medium itself stays put. For example, if a leaf is floating on a lake when a ripple passes, the leaf will simply bob up and down in the same spot rather than being carried to the shore, proving that the water isn't actually moving outward.
The stadium wave analogy is a perfect way to understand how waves travel through a medium without displacing it. When thousands of fans participate in a stadium wave, one section stands up and sits down, followed by the next. While the wave travels all the way around the stadium, the individual fans—who represent the medium—never actually leave their seats. This illustrates how a disturbance moves while the substance remains in place.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
