The movement of a wave from one place to another without the transfer of matter or mass is a fundamental characteristic of wave phenomena. Waves can transfer energy through a medium (such as air, water, or a solid material) or even through a vacuum (as is the case with electromagnetic waves like light).
To understand how waves transmit energy without mass, it's essential to recognize that waves are disturbances or oscillations in a medium or field. They involve the transfer of energy from one particle or point in the medium to the next, without the actual physical displacement of the particles in the medium.
Let's take an example of a transverse wave on a string. When you create a wave on a string by moving one end up and down, the disturbance travels along the string. The particles of the string only oscillate vertically while the wave itself moves horizontally. Each particle transfers energy to its neighboring particle, causing them to oscillate as well. The wave propagates through this transfer of energy from particle to particle.
In the case of electromagnetic waves (including light), the wave is composed of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These fields interact with each other and generate self-sustaining disturbances that can travel through a vacuum at the speed of light. In this context, energy is carried by the oscillating electric and magnetic fields and is not dependent on the presence of matter.
It's important to note that while waves can transmit energy, they do not carry mass with them. The energy of a wave is related to its amplitude (intensity) and frequency. The particles or elements of the medium through which the wave passes may exhibit some displacement or oscillation, but this does not involve the physical movement of mass over long distances.
In summary, waves propagate by transferring energy from one point to another through the oscillation or disturbance of the medium or fields involved. While waves can transport energy, they do not transport mass.