What is the common characteristic of all waves?

All waves share the fundamental characteristic of transferring energy from one location to another without the transfer of matter. This means that when a wave travels through a medium (like air, water, or a solid), it can impart energy to that medium and potentially to objects affected by the wave, even though the medium itself does not travel along with the wave.

For example, in the case of sound waves, as they propagate through the air, they cause air particles to vibrate, which in turn can be transmitted to our ears, allowing us to hear. Similarly, water waves move energy across the surface of the water, causing objects floating on the water to move up and down.

The other options focus on specific types of waves or characteristics that do not apply universally to all waves. While waves can sometimes travel in straight lines, this is not a definitive characteristic, as waves can also bend, refract, or diffract. Not all waves carry sound; for example, light waves and seismic waves do not carry sound. Additionally, waves can be invisible to the human eye, such as radio waves or certain electromagnetic frequencies. Therefore, the essential trait of all waves is their ability to transfer energy, regardless of the medium or type of wave.