Which explanation best describes a wave?
A.
a disturbance that travels through a medium with a transfer of energy and matter
B.
a disturbance that travels through a medium without a transfer of energy and matter
C.
a disturbance that travels through a medium with a transfer of energy and without a transfer of matter
D.
a disturbance that travels through a medium with a transfer of matter and without a transfer of energy
E.
a disturbance that travels only in the absence of a material medium

Answer:

C. a disturbance that travels through a medium with a transfer of energy and without a transfer of matter

Explanation:

A wave is any disturbance that transfers energy from one location to the other via a substance called medium. It is important to note that a wave only conveys energy and not matter. For example, sound wave is a type of wave that carries sound energy from one place to another via mediums such as water, air etc.

Hence, according to this question, a wave can be described as a disturbance that travels through a medium with a transfer of energy and WITHOUT A TRANSFER OF MATTER.