ใฐ๏ธLongitudinal wave vs Transverse wave๐
Waves carry energy in two basic ways. The difference is the direction the medium vibrates relative to the wave's travel.
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ใฐ๏ธLongitudinal wave
- โThe medium vibrates parallel to the wave's direction
- โForms regions of compression and rarefaction
- โSound is the most familiar example
- โCan travel through solids, liquids and gases
- โA push-pull motion along the line of travel
๐Transverse wave
- โThe medium vibrates at right angles to the wave's direction
- โForms crests and troughs
- โLight and water surface waves are examples
- โLight can travel through a vacuum; mechanical types cannot
- โAn up-and-down or side-to-side motion
Verdict
Longitudinal waves squeeze and stretch the medium along their path, like sound. Transverse waves shake it sideways, like light or ripples. Some waves, such as seismic waves, come in both forms.
Frequently asked
Is sound a longitudinal or transverse wave?+
Sound is a longitudinal wave, traveling through compressions and rarefactions of the medium.
Can light travel through empty space?+
Yes. Light is a transverse electromagnetic wave that needs no medium and crosses a vacuum.
Do earthquakes produce both wave types?+
Yes. Seismic P-waves are longitudinal and S-waves are transverse.
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