Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

Wave definition

Transfer of energy without transfer of matter

Transverse wave

Particles vibrate perpendicular to direction of wave travel

Longitudinal wave

Particles vibrate parallel to direction of wave travel

Transverse examples

Water waves, electromagnetic waves, waves on a string

Longitudinal examples

Sound waves, compression waves in springs

Crest

Highest point of a transverse wave

Trough

Lowest point of a transverse wave

Compression

Region where particles are close together in a longitudinal wave

Rarefaction

Region where particles are spread out in a longitudinal wave

Direction of vibration (transverse)

Up and down or side to side

Direction of vibration (longitudinal)

Back and forth along wave direction

Wave direction (transverse)

At right angles to vibrations

Wave direction (longitudinal)

Same direction as vibrations

Slinky demonstration (transverse)

Shake slinky side to side

Slinky demonstration (longitudinal)

Push and pull slinky to make compressions

Energy transfer

Waves transfer energy, not matter

Key idea

Transverse = perpendicular vibrations; longitudinal = parallel vibrations

transverse waves diagram

longitudinal waves diagram