What characterizes transverse waves?

Transverse waves are characterized by the motion of the medium being perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel. In other words, as the wave moves forward, the individual particles of the medium oscillate up and down or side to side at right angles (90 degrees) to that direction. This behavior is seen in examples such as waves on a string or electromagnetic waves, where the displacement of the medium causes compressions and rarefactions that are not aligned with the energy propagation of the wave.

This perpendicular movement is what distinguishes transverse waves from other types of waves, such as longitudinal waves, where the medium compresses and expands in the same direction as the wave travels. By understanding this fundamental characteristic of transverse waves, one can better comprehend various physical phenomena, including light propagation and wave dynamics in different media.