Transverse Wave
Physics: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 3.1.2
Transverse Waves
Here are some examples of transverse waves:
Moving springs
- Waving/moving the coils of a spring will make the coils move up and down as the wave passes.
- They then return to their original position after the wave has passed.
- This shows that a wave moves without transferring matter because the spring coils do not travel along with the wave.
Mexican wave
- A “Mexican wave” at a sports event is an example of a transverse wave.
- The wave spreads around the stadium as the people stand up and sit down one after the other (at right angles to the direction of the people’s motion).
Corks bobbing
- A cork bobbing on the water shows how a transverse wave works.
Test yourself on Transverse Wave
In what direction do the particles move relative to a transverse wave's direction?
In what position do particles end up after a transverse wave has passed?
What are some examples of transverse waves?