They are transverse because they make a repeated up and down movement and vibrate. They move at right angles towards the direction in which the wave travels. In transverse waves, water waves go through crests and troughs (the high and low points). Like all waves, water waves are a disturbance that transfers energy from place to place. These waves require a medium in which to travel through, therfore it is a mechanical wave. The medium in which this certain type of wave travels through is the water’s surface.

All waves, including water waves have four basic properties, amplitude, wavelength, frequency, and speed. The amplitude of a transverse wave would be the maximum distance that the medium moves from its rest point, or the maximum distance a water particle moves above or below the water’s surface. To find the amplitude of a water wave, you must measure the distance from its rest position, to the crest or trough of the wave. To increase the amplitude of a wave, you must add more energy. So a wave with more amplitude has more energy.

The wavelength of a transverse wave is the distance between two parts of a wave. You find the wavelength by measuring the distance between the two crests or the two troughs.

The frequency of a transverse wave, is the number of repeating waves that pass a given point in a given period of time. To increase frequency you must add more energy and it is measured in units called Hertz.

The speed of a transverse wave is the distance it travels during a certain amount of time. In refraction a wave will that has its sides going different speeds, will change direction. This occurs when a wave enters a new medium at an angle. Interference is when two waves collide into each other. There are two very different types of interference.

Constructive and Destructive. When the crests of two different waves collide, they combine to make a larger wave or when the troughs of two different waves collide, they combine to make a wave with more amplitude. Destructive interference takes place when the crest of one wave collides the the trough of another wave. The one with the larger amplitude remains. If the crest and the trough have the exact same amplitude, the two waves cancel each other out.

Sometimes a transverse wave will appear to be standing still. This is known as a standing wave. This type of wave looks like it isn’t move but it is actually two different waves interfering as they pass each other.