If the medium vibrates perpendicular to the direction that the energy is moving, the wave is called transverse. The maximum positive displacement is called a crest, and the maximum negative displacement is called a trough.

Adapted from: transverse, Mr. Clintberg's Studyphysics

Common examples of transverse waves are waves on a string and light waves.

Radio Tower

Microwave

X-ray

When you think of microwaves, radios, and x-rays, you may not think about transverse waves, but each of these everyday objects works because of transverse waves. They are a part of the group of transverse waves known as electromagnetic waves. Look at the image below and answer the following questions.

Source: Electromagnetic Spectrum, NASA, Wikimedia Commons

1. Describe the wave characteristic of an X-ray.

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   The wavelengths of an X-ray are close together, very small (atomic size).

2. How do the wave characteristics of an X-ray compare with a microwave?

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   Microwaves have wavelengths that are further apart and are much larger than X-ray waves.

3. How do you think the differing characteristics influence the wave behavior of the different types of waves found on the electromagnetic spectrum? (Hint: look closely at the chart above)

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   Different wave characteristics allow the waves to travel differently through different types of media (like the example of the Earth’s atmosphere on the chart above). Also, the different wave characteristics allow them to interact with different temperatures.

Now that you have looked more deeply at the characteristics and behaviors of transverse waves, in the next section you look at longitudinal waves.