(Redirected from Transverse waves)
A
light wave is an example of a transverse wave. The light wave is however composite, all parts of which have transversal wave properties.
Transversal plane wave
Propagation of a transverse spherical wave in a 2d grid (empirical model)
A 'transverse wave' is a
wave that causes vibration in the medium in a perpendicular direction to its own motion. For example: if a wave moves along the ''x''-axis, its disturbances are in the ''yz''-plane.
In other words, it causes medium disturbances across the two-dimensional plane that it is travelling in. Contrary to popular belief, transversal waves do not move up and down.
Properties
The properties of transverse waves are exemplified by ripples in
water, the vibrations of a stretched string or also in
electromagnetic waves. In a transverse wave, the molecules of the medium oscillate
perpendicular to the direction of
propagation.
In
seismology transverse waves are called secondary, or
s waves because they arrive later than the primary, or
p waves from an earthquake. The absence of transverse waves traveling through the earth’s core shows that it is liquid.
Examples
Light is composed of transverse waves. See
electromagnetic spectrum for information on different types of
electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves. A transverse wave could be represented by moving a
slinky, spread across a table, to the left and right or up and down. The oscillating string is another example of a transverse wave.
Mathematical description
In mathematics, transverse waves are associated with the ''
curl'' operator and are governed by a vector
wave equation, in contrast to longitudinal waves, which are associated with the ''
div'' operator and are governed by a scalar wave equation. A longitudinal wave exists as compressions moving through the plane in which it is travelling. Energy from this wave is transmitted as mechanical energy. An example would be a
slinky which was pushed forward and backwards, compressing and extending it as the motion of the wave was transmitted. The speed of a transverse wave is determined by the equation "wave speed= frequency x wavelength"
See also
★
Longitudinal wave
★
Transverse mode
External links
★
Purdue's catalog of animated seismic waves
★
Interactive simulation of transverse wave
★
Wave types explained with high speed film and animations
العربية
中国
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिन्दी
Italiano
日本語
Português
Русский
Español
