Transverse and longitudinal waves

What is a transverse wave?

A transverse wave is a wave in which the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave’s travel.

Give an example of a transverse wave.

Light waves, water waves, and waves on a string are examples of transverse waves.

Give an example of a longitudinal wave.

Sound waves and seismic P-waves are examples of longitudinal waves.

What is a longitudinal wave?

A longitudinal wave is a wave in which the oscillations are parallel to the direction of the wave’s travel.

How do particles in a transverse wave move?

In a transverse wave, particles move up and down or side to side, perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

How do particles in a longitudinal wave move?

In a longitudinal wave, particles move forward and backward, parallel to the wave direction, creating compressions and rarefactions.

What is the wavelength in a transverse wave?

The wavelength is the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a transverse wave.

What is the frequency of a wave?

The frequency is the number of complete oscillations (cycles) that occur in one second.

How do amplitude and energy relate in transverse waves?

The greater the amplitude, the more energy the wave carries.

How is sound transmitted through a medium?

Sound travels as longitudinal waves through air, water, or solids by compressing and rarefying the medium.

What is the speed of a wave?

The speed of a wave is the distance a wave travels per unit time, calculated by v=f×λ

What causes the compression and rarefaction in longitudinal waves?

The oscillation of particles in the medium causes areas of high particle density (compression) and low particle density (rarefaction).

How do you measure the wavelength of a longitudinal wave?

Measure the distance between two consecutive compressions or rarefactions

What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

They are inversely related: as frequency increases, wavelength decreases, and vice versa.