Characteristics of Transverse Waves

Questions and Answers

Perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation

Water wave

Wavelength

Electromagnetic transverse wave Signup and view all the answers

Amplitude Signup and view all the answers

Linearly polarized wave Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Direction of vibration: Perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation
Motion of particles: Particles oscillate up and down, or side to side, creating a series of compressions and rarefactions
Polarization: Transverse waves can be polarized, meaning their vibrations occur in a single plane

Light waves: Electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum
Water waves: Ripples on the surface of water, caused by wind or other disturbances
Seismic waves: Waves generated by earthquakes that travel through the Earth's interior
Vibrations on a string: Transverse waves can be produced by plucking a guitar string or a violin string

Wavelength: The distance between two consecutive points on the wave that are in phase with each other
Frequency: The number of oscillations or cycles per second
Speed: The distance traveled by the wave per unit time
Amplitude: The maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position

Mechanical transverse waves: Require a physical medium to propagate, such as water or a string
Electromagnetic transverse waves: Can travel through a vacuum, such as light waves
Polarized transverse waves: Vibrations occur in a single plane, such as linearly polarized light

Direction of vibration is perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation
Particles oscillate up and down, or side to side, creating a series of compressions and rarefactions
Transverse waves can be polarized, meaning their vibrations occur in a single plane

Light waves are electromagnetic waves that can travel through a vacuum
Water waves are ripples on the surface of water, caused by wind or other disturbances
Seismic waves are waves generated by earthquakes that travel through the Earth's interior
Vibrations on a string can be produced by plucking a guitar string or a violin string

Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points on the wave that are in phase with each other
Frequency is the number of oscillations or cycles per second
Speed is the distance traveled by the wave per unit time
Amplitude is the maximum displacement of the wave from its equilibrium position

Mechanical transverse waves require a physical medium to propagate, such as water or a string
Electromagnetic transverse waves can travel through a vacuum, such as light waves
Polarized transverse waves vibrate in a single plane, such as linearly polarized light