Science Common Sense

223 - How do waves transfer energy?

Waves transfer energy by moving it from one place to another without actually moving the water itself.

Imagine you're standing in the ocean. The water molecules are moving up and down but staying in the same spot. As the wave moves towards you, it transfers the energy of the moving water molecules to you, making the water level rise and fall.

This energy is transferred from one water molecule to the next, creating the wave that we see. The energy can then be transferred to the shore, rocks, or anything else it touches.