Rurik can classify every wave he has met: transverse or longitudinal. A wave on a rope is transverse. Sound in air is longitudinal. Which kind is light?
An electromagnetic wave has no medium, but it still oscillates. This lesson classifies it.
In the waves topic you classified a wave by its oscillation: perpendicular to the travel direction, or parallel to it.
An electromagnetic wave oscillates too. What oscillates is its two fields.
In a light wave moving forward, the electric field oscillates at right angles to the direction of travel.
The magnetic field also oscillates at right angles to the direction of travel.
Neither field oscillates along the travel direction.
An oscillation perpendicular to the travel direction is the transverse pattern.
A radio wave travels east across a valley. Relative to the travel direction, which way do its fields oscillate?
Electromagnetic waves are transverse.
A transverse oscillation runs perpendicular to the travel direction.
The fields oscillate perpendicular to the eastward travel: at right angles to it, never along it.
Sound in air is longitudinal: the air particles oscillate parallel to the travel direction. A light wave's fields oscillate perpendicular to its travel direction. Classify the light wave.
Perpendicular oscillation is the transverse pattern.
The light wave's oscillation is perpendicular to its travel direction.
The light wave is transverse.
In a light wave traveling forward, how does the electric field's oscillation run relative to the direction of travel?
A microwave signal crosses an oven's cavity from the source to the far wall. Which kind of wave is it?
Tove says: 'In a light wave, the fields oscillate at right angles to the direction the wave travels.' Is Tove correct?
Which statement gives the reason electromagnetic waves are classified as transverse?
A light wave travels straight down into a lake. Along which line can its electric field oscillate?
Selby draws an electromagnetic wave with its electric field oscillating along the same line as the travel direction. What is wrong with the drawing?