What happens to the energy carried by mechanical waves as they move away from their source?

Question

It remains constant
It increases
It becomes more concentrated
It decreases

Answer 1

As mechanical waves move away from their source, the energy they carry typically decreases. This decrease in energy occurs due to several factors, including the spreading of the wave energy over a larger area (resulting in lower intensity), absorption by the medium, and scattering. Therefore, the correct answer is:

It decreases.