Question

which is a characteristic of all waves?
all waves carry energy.
all waves move through space.
all waves move through matter, from particle to particle.
all waves transfer energy perpendicular to the direction of wave motion.

Explanation:

• Waves are disturbances that transfer energy.
• Electromagnetic waves (like light) can move through a vacuum (not through matter), so the option "All waves move through matter, from particle to particle" is incorrect.
• Longitudinal waves (e.g., sound waves in some cases) transfer energy parallel to the direction of wave motion, so the option "All waves transfer energy perpendicular to the direction of wave motion" is incorrect.
• While waves carry energy, the statement "All waves move through space" is not a fundamental characteristic in the same sense as energy - carrying. For example, standing waves (a type of wave phenomenon) do not move through space in the traditional sense of propagation over long distances. But all waves, by definition, carry energy.

Answer:

All waves carry energy.