Transverse waves
Demonstrating transverse waves
Transverse waves are often demonstrated by moving a rope rapidly up and down.
Image caption, 1. A hand holds a length of rope taut
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In the diagram the rope moves up and down, producing peaks and troughs.
Energy is transferred from left to right at right angles to the hand movement.
However, none of the particles are transported along a transverse wave.
The particles move up and down as the wave is transmitted through the A material through which a wave can be transmitted (propagate)..
Examples of transverse waves include:
- ripples on the surface of water;
- vibrations in a guitar string;
- a Mexican wave in a sports stadium;
- electromagnetic waves – eg light waves, microwaves, radio waves, x-rays;
- S type earthquake waves.
One way of remembering that an S type earthquake wave is a transverse is that an S looks like a transverse wave on its side.
Mechanical and electromagnetic waves
Mechanical waves cause The repeated and regular fluctuations, above and below the same position, eg the pressure of a sound wave or the voltage of an alternating current. of particles in a solid, liquid or gas and must have a medium to travel through – they cannot pass through a A volume that contains no matter..
Electromagnetic waves cause oscillations in electrical and magnetic fields and can travel through a vacuum.
