A picture of the circular ripples on the surface of the water after a few drops of water hit the surface.
Which best describes the type of wave seen here?
transverse, because the water molecules move up and down, which is parallel to the motion of the wave
transverse, because the water molecules move up and down, which is perpendicular to the motion of the wave
longitudinal, because the water molecules move up and down, which is parallel to the motion of the wave
longitudinal, because the water molecules move up and down, which is perpendicular to the motion of the wave
1 answer
The correct description of the type of wave seen in this scenario is:
transverse, because the water molecules move up and down, which is perpendicular to the motion of the wave.
In this case, when a pebble is dropped into a pond, the ripples that spread out from the point of impact are transverse waves. The water molecules move up and down while the wave itself travels outward in a circular pattern, indicating that their motion is perpendicular to the direction of the wave's propagation.
