Final answer:
Waves in physics can be mechanical, needing a medium, like sound waves, or electromagnetic, not needing a medium, like light waves. Interference is a wave property, and ocean waves are examples of orbital progressive waves. Hypothesis is most closely related to a suggestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Concept of Waves
When we talk about waves in physics, we often refer to a rhythmic disturbance that travels through space and matter. There are different types of waves, including mechanical waves and electromagnetic waves.
Mechanical waves, such as sound waves created by a tuning fork, require a medium to travel through and include longitudinal waves like sound or transverse waves like ocean waves. By contrast, electromagnetic waves, such as light waves, are transverse waves that do not require a medium and can travel through the vacuum of space.
The interaction of waves refers to phenomena like interference, which is when two waves meet and combine to form a new wave pattern. This principle is a fundamental characteristic that helps to identify something as a wave.
Additionally, a pebble dropped in water creating ripples is an example of a pulse wave, which is a disturbance that creates a single wave or a few waves, not a continuous flow.
With reference to the provided information, let's address the test questions presented. For instance, observation of interference can be considered proof that something is a wave.
Concerning orbital progressive waves, ocean waves are a prime example. Lastly, the correct answer to which one of the listed words is closest to the meaning of hypothesis would be suggestion.