Wave Phenomena

Transverse Waves

Disturbances that vibrate perpendicular to the direction of travel

Show Me The Physics waves lesson

List three or more waves.

Video Instruction

showmethephysics.com

2. Transverse Wave — a vibrational disturbance that is perpendicular to the direction in which the wave travels.

Creating a Transverse Wave — onsite video

Penn State Schuylkill

Fans creating a stadium wave

Watch the Medium Move

Transverse wave motion diagram
HTML5 transverse-wave animation · Flash version

Flash version

Longitudinal or Transverse?

Watch the motion. Is this wave longitudinal or transverse?

ultraslo

Many Possible Planes

Unlike longitudinal waves, transverse waves can be oriented in many different planes.

Flash version

Examples

Water waves, seismic waves, and electromagnetic waves such as light, microwaves, and radio waves

Transverse Waves — University of Colorado

Electromagnetic Wave — Santa Barbara City College

Vibrating Charges and Electromagnetic Waves — Physics 2000

Check Your Understanding

Longitudinal or transverse?

Wave classification diagram
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Transverse: the vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave travel.

a) Longitudinal or transverse?

b) Which two letters show one wavelength?

c) How does the medium move?

Labeled transverse-wave question
Answer choices for wave motion
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Answers: A and C; choice D.

Characteristics of Waves →