Question

In a transverse wave on a string, the motion of the string is perpendicular to the length of the string. How, then, is it possible for energy to move along the length of the string?

Short answer

The energy is transferred through a string along its length during the propagation of the transverse wave through it.

Step-by-step solution

Concept of Transverse wave

Transverse waves are waves that oscillate along routes that are perpendicular to the direction that the wave is moving forward.

When a transverse wave travels through a string, it vibrates perpendicular to the string's length. There are several particles that make up a string. Particles on a string vibrate perpendicular to the length of the string as a transverse wave travels across it. The string's particles do not move from their initial positions while a wave travels through it; instead, they simply oscillate around their mean location.

Transfer of energy in string.

The first particle vibrates and transmits energy to the neighbouring second particle when a string is made to vibrate. The energy is transferred to the third particle in the same way as the second particle vibrates. Until the wave reaches the other end of the string, this process is repeated.

In this way, the energy is transferred through a string along its length during the propagation of the transverse wave through it.