Properties of Transverse Waves

Introduction 

A transverse wave is a type of mechanical wave. They travel in a straight line and carry energy and momentum through medium particles from one point to another.
“If on propagation of a mechanical wave through a medium, the medium particles oscillate along a direction perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the wave, the wave is called a transverse wave.”  In other words, if wave travels in x- direction, medium particles vibrate up or down or along y- direction. For example, when one end of a horizontal rope is tied to a hook and the other end is moved up and down, a transverse wave travel horizontally while particles of rope vibrate up and down.
There are several examples of transverse waves in everyday life.               
Vibrations in string, surface water waves, electromagnetic waves, seismic S (secondary) waves, audience wave.

Properties of Transverse Waves

A transverse wave has all properties of mechanical waves.

1. Amplitude- The maximum vertical displacement of the medium particles on either side of its equilibrium position is called the amplitude. It is denoted by ‘a’.
2. Time period- The time taken by medium particle in completing one oscillation is called as the time period of wave.it is denoted by ‘T’.
3. Frequency- The number of oscillations made by a medium particle in 1 second is called as frequency of wave. It is denoted by ‘f’.
4. Phase- The phase of the wave at any instant denotes the position and direction of motion of medium particle at that instant.
5. Wavelength- The distance travelled by the wave in one complete oscillation

is called as wavelength of wave. It is denoted by ‘λ’.

Properties of Transverse Waves : Speed

Wave speed- The distance travelled by the wave in one second is called as ‘wave speed’. It is denoted by ‘v’.
Transverse waves can be formed only in solids because solids have rigidity.
(i)                Speed of transverse wave is given by the following formula-
                              V =√ (η / d)
Where, η is modulus of rigidity of material and d is the density.
(ii)              Speed of transverse waves in flexible stretched string is given by following formula-
                              V = √ (T / m)
 Where T is the tension in the string and m is the mass per unit length of string.