a) Types of waves

a) progressive waves; longitudinal and transverse waves

e) graphical representations of transverse and longitudinal waves


progressive wave = a wave that transfers energy without transferring matter


transverse wave = a wave where the particle vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer

  • peak = maximum upwards displacement from the rest position

  • trough = maximum downwards displacement from the rest position


longitudinal wave = a wave where the particle vibrations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer

  • compression = region of highest pressure due to close particles

  • rarefaction = region of lowest pressure due to far apart particles


transverse and longitudinal waves → look the same on a displacement-time graph for a single particle