Characteristics of progressive waves:
1) Each particle in a medium executes the same type of vibration. Particles vibrate about their mean positions performing simple harmonic motion.
2) All vibrating particles of the medium have the same amplitude, period and frequency.
3) The phase, (i.e., state of vibration of a particle), changes from one particle to another.
4) No particle remains permanently at rest. Each particle comes to rest momentarily while at the extreme positions of vibration.
5) The particles attain maximum velocity when they pass through their mean positions.
6) During the propagation of wave, energy is transferred along the wave. There is no transfer of matter.
7) The wave propagates through the medium with a certain velocity. This velocity depends upon properties of the medium.
8) A transverse wave can propagate only through solids, but not through liquids and gases while a longitudinal wave can propagate through any material medium.
