Anytime we visualize light / sound waves they are 2 dimensional drawing, so how do they actually work in a 3 dimensional space? Are they more like ripples (like a stone thrown into a pond)?
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Sound wave are longitudinal waves–the wave vibrates in the direction of propagation. Think of a Slinkey sitting on a flat surface like a desk. Hold one side in place and push and pull the other side. This is a longitudinal wave.
Light are transverse waves–the wave vibrates perpendicularly to the direction of propagation. Set up the Slinkey like before, but this time wiggle it from side to side. This is a transverse wave. Light actually has another transverse wave with the same frequency, but the direction of vibration between the two transverse waves are perpendicular–you’d need to oscillate another Slinkey up and down.
Water ripples are transverse waves.
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