Transverse wave facts for kids
A transverse wave is a special kind of wave that moves energy from one place to another. Imagine a wave on a rope. If you shake one end of the rope up and down, the wave travels along the rope. But the rope itself only moves up and down, not forward with the wave.
This is what makes a transverse wave unique. The parts of the wave move or vibrate at a right angle (or perpendicular) to the direction the wave is actually traveling. So, if the wave is moving forward, the vibrations go up and down or side to side.
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What are transverse waves?
Think about a water wave in the ocean. The wave itself moves towards the shore. But the water particles mostly move up and down in circles, not directly with the wave. This up-and-down motion is perpendicular to the wave's forward movement.
Another great example is a light wave. Light travels through space, but its electric and magnetic parts vibrate at right angles to the direction the light is going. This is why light is called an electromagnetic wave and is a perfect example of a transverse wave.
How they work
When a transverse wave moves, it causes the material it's traveling through (called the "medium") to vibrate. These vibrations happen at a 90-degree angle to the wave's path. It's like doing the "wave" in a stadium: people stand up and sit down (perpendicular motion), but the wave itself moves around the stadium (forward motion).
Examples of transverse waves
- Waves on a string or rope: When you pluck a guitar string, it vibrates up and down, but the wave travels along the string.
- Light waves: All forms of light, like radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and visible light, are transverse waves.
- Some seismic waves: When an earthquake happens, it creates different types of waves. Some of these, called S-waves, are transverse. They cause the ground to shake side to side or up and down.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Circular polarization on a rubber thread.
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A transverse wave spreading out in two directions.
See also
In Spanish: Onda transversal para niños
