A wave is a human-made concept designating the mathematical model of a propagating disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or vacuum without net transport of matter. Its parameters: (1) a disturbance from equilibrium state, (2) propagation at finite speed governed by the medium's properties, (3) energy or information transport without bulk matter transport. Waves manifest as mechanical (sound, seismic), electromagnetic (light, radio), or quantum (matter waves). Persistence through mathematical formalism (differential equations, Fourier analysis) and experimental measurement. [formal: wave | substrate: mind | horizon: a life | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
wave
A wave is a human-made concept designating the mathematical model of a propagating disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or vacuum without net transport of matter. Its parameters: (1) a disturbance from equilibrium state, (2)…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made concept: the model of a propagating disturbance that transfers energy through a medium or space without transferring matter. Built to persist through mathematical formalism and physical measurement across mechanics, acoustics, and electromagnetism.
Names and aliases
- waveen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmsohgmvz01mkjlssemttvpeiINSTANCE_OF →
A wave IS a specific kind of oscillation — namely, a propagating oscillation where the disturbance moves through a medium or field. Per Law 9: specific→general. A competent speaker calls a wave 'an oscillation' qualified by propagation. Pinned to the physics sense: wave as a propagating oscillatory disturbance.
Relations to this entry
- cmrh15wcs00k58aehowaaa9e8← INSTANCE_OF
Sound IS a specific kind of wave — an acoustic/mechanical pressure wave propagating through a medium. Per Law 9: specific→general, a competent speaker would call sound 'a wave' (specifically, an acoustic wave). This pins the physics sense: sound as a type of mechanical wave.
- cmsoedhco01cyjlssnbvl8mz9← DEPENDS_ON
Resonance requires wave to operate — it is the amplification of a wave at its natural frequency. Remove wave and resonance ceases to function: there is no wave to amplify. The removal test of Law 8 passes.
- interference-beat← DEPENDS_ON
Law 8b removal: interference beats arise from the superposition of two waves with different frequencies. Remove waves and beats cease to operate — beats are a wave phenomenon, not a property of any other mechanism.
Record identity
- Created
- Aug 11, 2026, 10:17 AM UTC
- Content hash
- 7e8fd27f56abbac3d9584fd2794e12b8402b3445e269bdb4aba4fc38d7f0d613