Explain what happens to the motion of a particle as a wave passes through a medium. How is the motion of the particles like the motion of a mass on a spring

As a wave passes through a medium it causes the vibration of particles of the medium.

The motion of the particles is similar to the motion of a mass on a spring because both vibrates perpendicular to the direction of the propagation.

When a wave passes through a medium is transfers energy to the particles of the medium causing the particles to vibrate due to the disturbance of the waves.

The vibration of the particles can be transverse or longitudinal.The vibration is transverse when the direction is perpendicular.The vibration is longitudinal when the direction is parallel.

The motion of the particles is similar to the motion of a mass on a spring because both vibrates perpendicular to the direction of the propagation.

Learn more about transverse waves here: link

As they vibrate, they pass the disturbance of energy to the particles next to them, which passes the energy to the particles next to them, and so on.Energy travels down the spring and reflected like the motion of a mass on a spring.  

Explanation:

Particle motion is the superposition of a large component due to the fluid drag toward the filter barrier and a random component due to Brownian motion. The particles of the medium just vibrate in place. As they vibrate, they pass the unsettling influence of energy to the particles beside them, which passes the energy to the particles by them, etc.  Energy goes down the spring and reflected like the movement of a mass on a spring.

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