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A general definition of a wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from place to place. It does not have anything to do with mediums.

I love R.G. ~A.B.

What is disturbed? , the electromagnetic "medium" commonly called the "free space" impedance, z = 375 Ohms. So-called empty space is filled with this "medium" which has an impedance of 375 Ohms. This medium/ether is a quantum medium. It is composed of magnetic and electric charge and is a cousin to Planck's Constant, h. Planck's Constant is the product of the magnetic and electric charge h=WC and z=W/C. W is 500 atto Webers and C=4/3 atto Coulombs.

A wise man once said:

"It ain't what you don't know, its what you know that ain't so".

As astutely suggested already, a wave is a disturbance that results in the transfer of energy. That's dead on target. But let's dig a bit to see what's up.

The idea that a wave represents a disturbance in a mediumcan actually be applied to any mechanical wave. Sound is one example of a mechanical wave; sound is mechanical energy. And that would qualify it under this definition. Electromagnetic energy does not qualify. In sound or any other mechanical energy, the mechanical energy arises from a source, whatever it is, and is transferred into the medium through which that energy (in the form of a wave) is going to travel. The medium carries the mechanical energy of the wave.

The disturbance that is electromagnetic energy doesn't play by these rules. It (electromagnetic radiation) is a pair of moving electric and magnetic fields that are in phase and moving at right angles to one another. This "pair" of waves could be said to "support itself" (though this may not be strictly true) and this gives rise to the fact that this type of energy can travel through a medium like a vacuum.

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Q: A wave is defined as the disturbance in a medium but you know that electromagnetic waves do not require any medium for propagation. If this is so then what will be the general definition of a wave?
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