Gravitational Wave Polarization and Test Particles

time

test particles

type

plus

cross

both

plus wave (blue)

frequency

amplitude

cross wave (red)

frequency

amplitude

This Demonstration shows how test particles move when a gravitational wave passes them. The wave is perpendicular to the plane of the particles. The two polarizations are "plus" polarization and "cross" polarization, 45° apart since gravitons are spin-2 particles.