A mechanical wave is an oscillation of matter, and therefore transfers energy through a medium.Giancoli, D. C. (2009) Physics for scientists & engineers with modern physics (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall. While waves can move over long distances, the movement of the medium of transmission—the material—is limited. Therefore, the oscillating material does not move far from its initial position. Mechanical waves can be produced only in media which possess elasticity and inertia. There are three types of mechanical waves: transverse waves, longitudinal waves, and surface waves.
a mEcHaNicAL Wave Is An oSCillaTion of matTEr, and thereForE tranSferS enerGy ThRoUGh a meDium.gIaNcoli, d. C. (2009) pHYsics foR ScientisTs & EngineeRs witH ModErn phYSiCs (4Th eD.). upper saDdLe riVer, n.j.: pEaRsOn prEntiCe haLl. WhiLe waves cAN move over loNG dIStanCes, thE moVeMEnt oF the mEdium of tRaNsmIsSiOn—tHe MaTERiAl—is lImited. TherefoRE, ThE OScillating MaTeRial does noT move faR FrOM its initiAl pOsitiOn. mechanIcAl WAvES Can Be PrOdUced onLY In mEdIa wHicH pOsSESS ELastICIty and iNErtIa. tHerE arE thrEe tyPEs OF meChanIcAL Waves: traNsVerSe wavEs, LoNgiTUDINal WaVES, AnD sUrfACe WAves.