Transverse Wave Animation

Run the Transverse Wave Animation Fullscreen

About This MicroSim

This interactive simulation demonstrates transverse waves, where particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. When you click "Send Pulse," a wave pulse travels from left to right across a line of connected particles. Each particle moves up and down (vertically) while the wave moves horizontally.

Key Concepts Demonstrated

1. Perpendicular Motion: Particles move at right angles to the wave direction
2. Wave Propagation: Energy transfers from particle to particle without particles traveling with the wave
3. Wave Properties: Amplitude, wavelength, and wave speed can be adjusted independently

Color Coding

• Blue particles: At rest or momentarily stationary
• Green particles: Moving upward
• Pink particles: Moving downward

Controls

Control	Range	Description
Amplitude	5-50 pixels	Maximum displacement from equilibrium
Speed	1-10	Wave propagation speed (pixels per frame)
Wavelength	50-200 pixels	Distance between wave crests
Send Pulse	Button	Launch a new wave pulse
Reset	Button	Return all particles to rest
Show particle paths	Checkbox	Display vertical path indicators

Learning Objectives

After using this simulation, students should be able to:

1. Describe how particles move in a transverse wave
2. Distinguish between the direction of particle motion and wave propagation
3. Explain the relationship between wavelength, amplitude, and wave speed
4. Predict how changing wave parameters affects the wave pattern

Lesson Plan

Introduction (5 minutes)

Ask students: "When you do 'the wave' at a sports stadium, do the people actually move around the stadium?" Use this to introduce the concept that waves transfer energy without transferring matter.

Exploration (10 minutes)

1. Have students click "Send Pulse" and observe the motion
2. Ask: "Which way does the wave travel? Which way do the particles move?"
3. Enable "Show particle paths" to visualize the perpendicular motion

Investigation (15 minutes)

Students explore how changing parameters affects the wave: - What happens when you increase amplitude? - What happens when you increase wavelength? - What happens when you change speed?

Discussion (10 minutes)

• Compare to real transverse waves: waves on strings, water surface waves, electromagnetic waves
• Contrast with longitudinal waves (see companion simulation)

Embed This MicroSim

<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/intro-to-physics-course/sims/transverse-wave/main.html"
        height="502px"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no">
</iframe>