Wave motion is manifested in the propagation of disturbance in a physical system. The system may be liquid, such as water or a rope. For examples, the particles of water in the water waves are set up when a stone is dropped into a quiet pool. The waves propagated on the surface do not move in the direction of the waves but simply vibrate up and down, i.e. at right angles to the path the wave is following. Water waves are thus transverse waves.

In the laboratory, the experiments can be illustrated if you fix one end of a long thin rope above the ground. Let the rope hang a little loose and the give it a series of regular flips up and down or swing a slinky spring to and fro on the top of the table, exactly the same as the diagrams shown in textbooks or workbooks.

These demonstrations would produce an illustration typical of the way in which a wave motion is represented graphically. This represents what is called a Sine Wave and is a rather inadequate representation of the dynamic process that is actually in progress because the students are unable to visualize or imagine the actual vibrations. Thus, I have come out with an apparatus called 'Transwave' to give a better illustration of the dynamic process of the actual wave in progress.

Teaching of transverse wave motion in Physics is not an easy task as the students are unable to visualize the vibrations of the particles when the physical system is disturbed.

By constructing a simple and inexpensive 'Transwave' using a wire and other easily available and inexpensive materials, students can easily see for themselves and with their eyes, the vibrations of the system's particles at right angles to the direction of its propagation from the images of the corks' motions shown on the screen. Thus, this enhances the students' understanding of the principles involved and increases the students' interest in the study of Physics. It also enables the students to apply their knowledge in daily life related to the wave motion.

The apparatus 'Transwave' is very viable. It can be economically and easily set up as the materials used are simple, easily available and recyclable. This apparatus can be used for individual experiment, for demonstration or for group experiment. The uniqueness of this method can be understood by anyone doing these experiments. It helps the student to understand the experiment much better than compared with the conventional methods.

1. Wire with diameter around 1 mm
2. A few corks to represent the particles
3. Fluorescent tube
4. Screen
5. Pieces of wood for making a stand

1. A wire of diameter about one mm is bent into a coil of a few turns with the help of a bottle or any cylindrical object and with corks fixed at regular intervals. These corks will represent the water particles as shown in the photograph (refer 5-P1).
2. A fluorescent tube is placed in front of the 'Transwave' and a screen is placed at the back.
3. The fluorescent tube is switched on and the 'Transwave' is adjusted. The image shown on the screen will be in a straight line. This represents the water surface before it is disturbed.
4. When the handle of the 'Transwave' is rotated, the image of the particles on the screen will be seen vibrating up and down in the direction at right angles to the direction of the movement of the waves. The vibrations at different places, clearly represent the actual movement of the water particles in the undulating water surface.
5. The combinations of the vibrating water particles represent the waveform called the Sine Wave progressing forward.