alleryStart learning →In a transverse wave, how does the disturbance relate to the direction the wave travels?
AIt is parallel to the direction of travel
BIt is opposite to the direction of travel
CIt changes direction every half a cycle
DIt is perpendicular to the direction of travel
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. It is perpendicular to the direction of travel
1. A transverse wave, also called a shear wave, disturbs the medium at right angles to the way it travels.
2. A rope shaken up and down while the pulse runs along it is the standard picture.
3. A disturbance parallel to the travel direction defines a longitudinal wave instead.
4. Waves on instrument strings and light waves are both transverse.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Oscillatory Motion and Waves", section Transverse and Longitudinal Waves_
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