What term describes the energy transferred through a medium by oscillations?

Study for the SDI Introduction to Physical Science Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, and access hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Get ready for your exam!

The correct term for the energy transferred through a medium by oscillations is a wave. Waves are disturbances that transfer energy from one point to another without the physical movement of matter over large distances. This can occur in various media, such as air, water, or solids, and includes mechanical waves like sound waves and electromagnetic waves such as light.

When an object vibrates, it creates oscillations in the surrounding medium, leading to the propagation of energy. For instance, when a stone is thrown into a pond, it creates ripples—these are waves that move outward, carrying energy away from the point of disturbance.

The other terms provided refer to different concepts: current relates to the flow of electric charge, voltage refers to the electric potential difference that drives the current, and potential energy represents the stored energy of an object due to its position or configuration. Hence, the concept of energy transfer through oscillations aligns specifically with the definition of a wave.

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