transverse wave

American  

noun

Physics.

1. a wave in which the direction of displacement is perpendicular to the direction of propagation, as a surface wave of water.

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transverse wave British  

noun

1. a wave, such as an electromagnetic wave, that is propagated in a direction perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the transmitting field or medium Compare longitudinal wave

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transverse wave Scientific  

1. A wave that oscillates perpendicular to the axis along which the wave travels. Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves, since the electric and magnetic fields oscillate at a right angle to the direction of motion. Waves in bodies of water are also transverse waves, since the molecules of water oscillate up and down perpendicular to the direction of the wave's motion.

2. Compare longitudinal wave See more at wave

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Etymology

Origin of transverse wave

First recorded in 1920–25

Compare meaning

How does transverse-wave compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• transverse wave vs. longitudinal wave

Example Sentences

By hitchhiking on the transverse wave, a tired mother and calf might have to barely move a muscle, Fish says.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 10, 2022

A transverse wave means that light’s oscillations travel perpendicular to the direction in which its energy moves.

From Scientific American • Jan. 16, 2021

Polarization in physics is defined as “the action of restricting the vibrations of a transverse wave, especially light, wholly or partially to one direction.”

From Scientific American • Jan. 16, 2021

Figure 27.4 shows how a transverse wave looks as viewed from above and from the side.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

You can view here animations of longitudinal and transverse waves, single particles being disturbed by a transverse wave or by a longitudinal wave, and particles being disturbed by transverse and longitudinal waves.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones