transverse vibrations

American  

plural noun

Physics.

1. periodic disturbances for which the particle oscillations of the medium are perpendicular to the direction of propagation.

---

Example Sentences

Ordinary light has transverse vibrations in all planes.

From The Treasure-Train by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

The idea of transverse vibrations carried with it another puzzle.

From A History of Science — Volume 3 by Williams, Henry Smith

But as the head increases, so do the lateral velocities which go to form the transverse vibrations.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 "Capefigue" to "Carneades" by Various

In stringed instruments we are concerned only with the transverse vibrations of a string—that is, its movements in a direction at right angles to the axis of the string.

From How it Works Dealing in simple language with steam, electricity, light, heat, sound, hydraulics, optics, etc., and with their applications to apparatus in common use by Williams, Archibald

The property is rather a kind of elasticity, which ordinary fluids do not possess, but which facilitates the propagation of transverse vibrations.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 488, May 9, 1885 by Various