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Modern Physics
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hi
A transverse wave is a wave in which particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the direction
that the wave moves. Suppose that a slinky is stretched out in a horizontal direction across the classroom and
that a pulse is introduced into the slinky on the left end by vibrating the first coil up and down. Energy will begin to
be transported through the slinky from left to right. As the energy is transported from left to right, the individual
coils of the medium will be displaced upwards and downwards. In this case, the particles of the medium move
perpendicular to the direction that the pulse moves. This type of wave is a transverse wave. Transverse waves
are always characterized by particle motion being perpendicular to wave motion.
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