Classical wave theory

Classical wave theory explains how waves, like sound or light, travel through a medium or space without changing the energy they carry. Waves are disturbances that transfer energy from one point to another through oscillations or vibrations. For example, sound waves wiggle the air molecules to carry sound, while light waves oscillate electric and magnetic fields to transmit visual information. This theory describes the wave’s properties—such as wavelength, frequency, speed, and amplitude—and how they interact, reflect, or diffract. It provides a fundamental understanding of wave behavior across various physical phenomena without involving quantum mechanics.