Question

Which statement best describes how the particles of a medium behave when the above transverse wave moves through the medium?

A. Particles in the medium travel away from the source of the wave in a direction that is perpendicular to the motion of the wave.
B. Particles stay in one place as the wave travels past them.
C. Particles move perpendicular to the direction of the wave as the wave passes through them, but do not move along with the wave.
D. Particles continue to travel in the direction of the wave, away from the source of the wave.

Answer 1

The correct behavior of medium particles in a transverse wave is perpendicular oscillation to the direction of wave propagation without following the wave.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes how the particles of a medium behave when a transverse wave moves through the medium is: Particles move perpendicular to the direction of the wave as the wave passes through them, but do not move along with the wave. In a transverse wave, the motion of the particles of the medium is perpendicular (at a right angle) to the direction of propagation of the wave. Therefore, if a transverse wave is traveling from left to right, the particles of the medium would oscillate up and down.