The Buzz: Making Waves on ScienceBlogs

Our physicists-in-residence at ScienceBlogs enjoy catching a few waves every now and then—but what kind? In the most recent installment of his Dorky Poll series, Chad Orzel asked his readers at Uncertain Principles which they preferred: Waves which oscillate perpendicular to their direction of motion—transverse waves—or longitudinal waves, which oscillate in a parallel direction. Matt Springer of Built on Facts had a ready answer for Chad: "Transverse or longitudinal waves, purely as a matter of aesthetic preference? Transverse all the way, of course."

• Dorky Poll: How Do You Like Your Waves?
• Light waves, clarified
• Dorky Poll: Favorite Wavelength