traveling wave
Moving energy pulse
A traveling wave is a wave that moves through a medium or space, carrying energy from one point to another.
Unlike a standing wave, which oscillates in place, a traveling wave propagates outward from its source: Sound reaches your ear as a traveling wave through air.
The term appears in physics, engineering, and telecommunications to describe waves that transfer energy rather than remain stationary.
Wave-patterned, mathematically regular
- harmonicOf musical overtones
- periodicOccurring at intervals
- cycleRepeating sequence of events
- crestHighest point or tuft
trough · vibration · modulation · damping · resonance · pulsation · undulation · oscillator
Maximum oscillation displacement
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
- interferenceUnwelcome involvement in affairs
diffraction · superposition · transverse · longitudinal · wavefront · dispersion · polarization · reflection
Involving electric and magnetic fields
- mechanicalOperated by machinery
- seismicRelating to ground tremors
- acousticRelating to sound
- opticalOf vision or light
transmission · propagation · fiber optics · waveguide · coaxial · plasma · vacuum · elastic
Broadcast signal receiver
- transmission lineSignal-carrying conductor structure
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- radarRadio-wave object detection
- microwaveRadiation-based kitchen heater
signal processing · telecommunications · sonar · ultrasound · seismology · laser · broadcast
sinusoidal
Wave-patterned, mathematically regular
crest · trough · vibration · modulation · damping · resonance · pulsation · undulation · oscillator · node
amplitude
Maximum oscillation displacement
- wavelengthSpatial repetition interval
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- phaseDistinct period in sequence
interference · diffraction · superposition · transverse · longitudinal · wavefront · dispersion · polarization · reflection · refraction
electromagnetic
Involving electric and magnetic fields
- mechanicalOperated by machinery
- seismicRelating to ground tremors
- acousticRelating to sound
optical · transmission · propagation · fiber optics · waveguide · coaxial · plasma · vacuum · elastic · fluid
antenna
Broadcast signal receiver
- transmission lineSignal-carrying conductor structure
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
- radarRadio-wave object detection
microwave · signal processing · telecommunications · sonar · ultrasound · seismology · laser · broadcast
travel, traveling, travelling, traveled, travelled, traveler, traveller, travelers, travellers