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Why can't transverse waves travel through liquids?

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To answer your question, first let's see how transverse waves or S-Waves propagate, so in simple terms we can state that, S-Waves or transverse are shear waves, whose particles move perpendicularly to their direction of propagation. Now, let's see why can they propagate through solids. read more

I'll just accept that transverse waves can travel through a vacuum. I accept that transverse waves cannot travel through a liquid or gas because the medium is not solid BUT the light is a transverse wave and it passes through through the air (a gas) in our atmosphere. Also can see the torch light of a scuba diver in the ocean (a liquid). read more

So in fact it just boils down to the fact that transverse-waves need a medium rigid enough to propagate, which liquids can't provide. Also remember that not all transverse waves require a rigid medium to travel. Transverse waves can also travel along the surface tension of the ocean, creating water waves. read more

Well, a transverse wave requires a restoring force in the wave's direction. In a solid, there's very present electromagnetic forces holding those atoms together; in a liquid or gas we don't expect a particle to get a push back when it goes down, it just keeps going and others take its place. read more

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