Elastic Waves

Elastic waves are vibrations that travel through materials like solids, liquids, or gases without permanently changing their shape. These waves occur when energy causes particles within the material to oscillate, transferring motion from one particle to another. Examples include seismic waves during earthquakes, sound waves in air, or vibrations in a metal. The key property of elastic waves is that the material's inherent elasticity allows it to temporarily deform and then return to its original shape as the wave passes. This ability to bounce back enables the wave to move efficiently through the medium.