Transverse Waves Produced by a water droplet penetrating the surface of the body of a liquid
Waves which form part of the electromagnetic spectrum and water waves are examples of transverse waves.
Transverse waves can be demonstrated by moving a piece of rope up and down. In a transverse wave vibrations are at right angles to the direction of movement.
When most people think of waves, naturally, one of the first images that comes to mind is that of waves on the ocean. These are an example of a transverse wave, or one in which the vibration or motion is perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving. (Actually, ocean waves are simply perceived as transverse waves; in fact, as discussed below, their behavior is rather more complicated.) In a longitudinal wave, on the other hand, the movement of vibration is in the same direction as the wave itself.
Transverse waves are easier to visualize, particularly with regard to the aspects of wave motion–for example, frequency and amplitude–discussed above. Yet, longitudinal waves can be understood in terms of a common example. Sound waves, for instance, are longitudinal: thus, when a stereo is turned up to a high volume, the speakers vibrate in the same direction as the sound itself.