transverse wave: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

Diagram of a transverse wave showing a sinusoidal curve above and below a central line, with labeled arrows indicating wavelength and maximum amplitude, illustrating key wave properties in physics.

See All Images →

Topics

wave crest trough shear wave secondary wave longitudinal wave electromagnetic radiation sound wave Gravitational wave seismic wave standing wave bow wave radio wave elastic wave radiation

Italian-born physicist Dr. Enrico Fermi draws a diagram at a blackboard with mathematical equations. circa 1950.

Physics and Natural Law