It is important to remember that all waves transfer energy but they do not transfer matter .

Do waves transfer?

Waves can transfer energy over distance without moving matter the entire distance. For example, an ocean wave can travel many kilometers without the water itself moving many kilometers. The water moves up and down—a motion known as a disturbance. It is the disturbance that travels in a wave, transferring energy.

Do waves transfer matter through space?

Waves carry energy through empty space or through a medium without transporting matter. While all waves can transmit energy through a medium, certain waves can also transmit energy through empty space. ... When waves travel through a medium, the particles of the medium are not carried along with the wave.