The document introduces the characteristics of waves, including that they are rhythmic disturbances that transfer energy without matter. It describes two main types of waves: mechanical waves, which need a medium to transfer energy examples including sound and ocean waves; and electromagnetic waves, which do not need a medium and include visible light, radio waves, and x-rays. The document also discusses the defining features of transverse and longitudinal waves, such as their direction of motion, examples of each type, and their basic parts including wavelength, amplitude, compression and rarefaction.