Transverse Wave Physics Example 3

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 3

medium
Explain why transverse waves can travel through solids but not through fluids (liquids and gases). Give an example of each.

Solution

  1. 1
    Transverse waves require the medium to resist shear deformation. Solids have rigidity and can support shear stress.
  2. 2
    Fluids (liquids and gases) cannot sustain shear stress — they flow instead. Therefore, transverse waves cannot propagate through them.
  3. 3
    Examples: seismic S-waves travel through solid rock but not through Earth's liquid outer core; waves on a guitar string are transverse.

Answer

Transverse waves need rigidity (shear resistance), which fluids lack.\text{Transverse waves need rigidity (shear resistance), which fluids lack.}
The inability of transverse waves to pass through liquids is how scientists discovered Earth's liquid outer core — seismic S-waves are blocked by it, creating shadow zones.

About Transverse Wave

A wave in which the particles of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Learn more about Transverse Wave →

More Transverse Wave Examples

Example 1 easy

A transverse wave on a rope has a wavelength of [formula] and a frequency of [formula]. What is the

Example 2 medium

A transverse wave on a string has a speed of [formula]. The string has a tension of [formula]. What

Example 4 hard

A guitar string ([formula], length [formula]) is tuned to play a note at [formula] (fundamental mode

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