In the context of electromagnetic waves, such as light, a wave consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These fields are not composed of discrete particles but rather propagate through space as continuous, interconnected disturbances.
In classical physics, electromagnetic waves are described by Maxwell's equations, which relate the electric and magnetic fields to each other and to the sources of those fields. According to these equations, oscillating electric fields generate magnetic fields, and oscillating magnetic fields generate electric fields. This continuous interplay between the electric and magnetic fields allows the wave to propagate through space.
The behavior of electromagnetic waves can be explained by the superposition principle, which states that when two or more waves are present in the same region of space, their effects add together. This principle allows waves to interfere constructively or destructively, resulting in phenomena such as diffraction and interference.
It's important to note that while waves can exhibit particle-like behavior in certain contexts (as in the case of photons in quantum mechanics), in the context of classical electromagnetic waves, they do not consist of discrete particles. Instead, they are described by continuous fields that propagate through space.