University:
Texas A&M University
Course:
PHY 182 | General Physics II
Academic year:

2025
Views:

83

Pages:

1
Author:

MojoMaker

Characteristics of Waves In the given image, the wave oscillations are described as flowing perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer through a spring. To determine the type of wave pictured, let's examine the characteristics of different types of waves: Transverse Waves: In transverse waves, the oscillations occur perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. A common example is waves on a string or surface waves on water. Longitudinal Waves: In these waves, the oscillations occur parallel to the direction of wave propagation. Sound waves in air are a primary example, where areas of compression and rarefaction move in the same direction as the wave. Circular Waves: These waves exhibit a concentric pattern, with oscillations radiating outward in circles from a central point, like ripples on the surface of water. Parallel Waves: This term is not commonly used to describe a distinct type of wave in physics and might cause confusion. It is better to refer specifically to transverse or longitudinal waves. Based on the description provided, since the oscillations are perpendicular to the energy transfer, we can conclude that: Conclusion The type of wave pictured is a transverse wave. Further Exploration For more information on wave characteristics, you can explore the following sources: The Physics Classroom: Wave Properties Khan Academy: Waves Wikipedia: Wave