In a transverse (shear) wave, the particle displacement is:

In a transverse (shear) wave, the particle displacement is:

• A. Perpendicular to the direction of travel
• B. Parallel to the direction of travel
• C. Circular
• D. None

Answer: (A)

In a transverse (shear) wave, the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving. Imagine the wave traveling to the right; the particles in the medium move up and down as the wave passes, not forward along the direction of travel. This perpendicular motion is what defines a transverse wave, with energy propagating along the travel direction while the medium’s motion is orthogonal to it. This contrasts with a longitudinal wave, where particle displacement is parallel to the travel direction (compression and rarefaction along the path). Circular motion would require two perpendicular motions that are out of phase in a specific way, which is not the typical simple plane transverse wave. So the displacement being perpendicular to the wave’s path is the correct description.

In a transverse (shear) wave, the particle displacement is perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving. Imagine the wave traveling to the right; the particles in the medium move up and down as the wave passes, not forward along the direction of travel. This perpendicular motion is what defines a transverse wave, with energy propagating along the travel direction while the medium’s motion is orthogonal to it.

This contrasts with a longitudinal wave, where particle displacement is parallel to the travel direction (compression and rarefaction along the path). Circular motion would require two perpendicular motions that are out of phase in a specific way, which is not the typical simple plane transverse wave. So the displacement being perpendicular to the wave’s path is the correct description.