How do waves demonstrate kinetic energy?

3 answers

Waves demonstrate kinetic energy by the movement or vibration of particles in a medium. As a wave travels through a medium, the particles of that medium move back and forth in a repeated pattern. This movement of particles represents kinetic energy, as energy is being transferred through the medium by the motion of the particles. The greater the amplitude (height) of the wave, the more kinetic energy the wave possesses. Waves can also carry kinetic energy when they transfer energy to objects they come into contact with, such as when ocean waves crash against the shore or seismic waves cause the ground to shake.
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Waves show kinetic energy because they make the particles in a medium move around. When a wave travels through air or water, the particles in that air or water jiggle back and forth in a fun dance. That moving around of particles is the kinetic energy of the wave. If a wave is super big and tall, it has lots of energy to make things move. Waves can also give their energy to stuff they bump into, like when big ocean waves crash onto the beach or when a big earthquake makes the ground shake.