Transverse waves
In transverse waves the particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction that the energy travels. This is where the name transverse comes from - it means across. All of the waves in the electromagnetic spectrum are transverse waves, as are water waves.
Producing transverse waves using a rope:
Step 1
A hand holding a rope held taught and horizontal.
Step 2
A hand jerked down to produce a sine wave shape in the rope.
Step 3
A hand jerked up to continue the sine wave motion in the rope. The waves travel from left to right, and the particles of the rope vibrate vertically.
