An 'elastic wave' is a type of
mechanical wave that propagates in
elastic or
viscoelastic materials. The elasticity of the material provides the restoring
force of the wave. When they occur in the
Earth as the result of an
earthquake or other disturbance, elastic waves are usually called
seismic waves.
Linear elastic wave
Solids are often assumed to exhibit
linear elasticity. That is,
Hooke's law is assumed to be valid. The restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement (or
strain), but is oppositely directed.
See also
★
Simple harmonic motion