What is the motion of the particles in this kind of wave? A hand holds the left end of a set of waves. The waves themselves make a larger set of waves in the same direction as that of the smaller waves. A label Wave motion is above the series of waves and an arrow next to the label points right. The particles will move up and down over large areas. The particles will move up and down over small areas. The particles will move side to side over small areas. The particles will move side to side over large areas.