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Transverse and longitudinal waves 2


(a) transverse waves - the oscillation is at right angles to the direction of propagation of the wave.
Examples of this type are water waves, seismic S waves and electromagnetic waves.
In a transverse wave the particles of the material through which the wave is travelling move up and down from crest to trough and back again as the wave passes by.

(b) longitudinal waves - the oscillation is along the direction of propagation of the wave.
Examples of this type are sound waves and seismic P waves.
In a longitudinal wave the particles of the material through which the wave is travelling move from side to side as the wave passes by. This oscillatory movement produces places of low pressure (rarefaction) and places of high pressure (compression). For this reason a longitudinal wave is sometimes called a pressure wave

 
 
 
© Keith Gibbs 2009