The source of a wave is typically a disturbance or an energy input that creates a ripple or oscillation in a medium, such as water, air, or a solid. Waves can have various sources depending on the type of wave.
For example, in water waves, the source can be wind blowing over the surface of the water, an earthquake or underwater volcanic activity causing a tsunami, or even an object (like a stone) being dropped into the water.
Once a wave hits land or another wave, its behavior depends on several factors:
Reflection: Waves can bounce back off a solid boundary or surface, a process known as reflection. This happens when the wave encounters an obstacle, such as a cliff or a wall, and is redirected back into the medium from which it came.
Transmission: Waves can also pass through certain materials or mediums. For example, light waves can transmit through transparent substances like glass. In the case of water waves, when they hit a sloping shoreline, they can refract and continue to propagate in a new direction.
Absorption: Waves can be absorbed by certain materials, converting their energy into other forms. For instance, sound waves can be absorbed by objects, causing them to vibrate and dissipate the wave's energy as heat.
Dissipation: Waves can gradually lose energy due to various factors like friction, viscosity, or interference with other waves. In the case of ocean waves, they can dissipate their energy through breaking, causing the wave to lose its form and transfer energy to turbulence and spray.
It's important to note that different types of waves behave differently when they encounter land or other waves. For example, water waves exhibit these behaviors in the context of a body of water, while electromagnetic waves, such as light, can undergo reflection, refraction, absorption, or transmission when they encounter different materials.