transverse & longitudinal waves

• What are the two main categories of waves?

  Transverse waves and longitudinal waves
• What is an example of a transverse wave?

  Ripples on the surface of water
• What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

  Sound waves traveling in air
• What do all waves transfer?

  Energy from one place to another
• What type of energy do ripples transfer?

  Kinetic energy
• What type of energy do sound waves transfer?

  Sound energy
• What are the characteristics of transverse waves?

  • Oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
  • Example: Ripples on water
  • Energy transfer direction is sideways
• What are the characteristics of longitudinal waves?

  • Oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
  • Example: Sound waves in air
  • Consist of compressions and rarefactions
• What are compressions in longitudinal waves?

  Regions where particles are very close together
• What are rarefactions in longitudinal waves?

  Regions where particles are spaced out
• What is a key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves regarding mediums?

  Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel in
• What is a crucial fact about the movement of waves?

  It is the wave that travels, not the medium
• How do transverse waves behave in a medium like water?

  • The wave travels through the medium
  • A water molecule oscillates up and down
  • The water molecule does not travel along with the wave
• How do longitudinal waves behave in a medium like air?

  • The wave travels through the medium
  • An air particle oscillates from side to side
  • The air particle does not travel along with the wave