7.1.1—What is meant by wave motion as illustrated by vibration in ropes, springs

A wave is a travelling disturbance that transfers energy without requiring the medium’s particles to travel with the wave overall.

Describe what oscillates and the direction of energy transfer. Mechanical waves need a medium; electromagnetic waves do not.

A pulse along a rope moves down the rope while each small section moves mainly up and down around its equilibrium position.

The material itself is not carried from source to receiver at the wave speed; particle motion and wave propagation are different.