6.1.1 Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

• What are transverse waves defined as?

  Oscillations perpendicular to energy transfer
• In longitudinal waves, oscillations move parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• Order the following examples of transverse waves from shortest to longest wavelength:

  1️⃣ Light waves

  2️⃣ Radio waves

  3️⃣ Water waves
• What is wave motion described as?

  The movement of energy
• The amplitude of a wave measures its height or intensity.
• In transverse waves, particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.


  True
• What is an example of a longitudinal wave?

  Sound waves
• Longitudinal waves are characterized by oscillations that move parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• Seismic waves are an example of longitudinal waves.


  True
• What is an example of a transverse wave?

  Water waves
• Sound waves are longitudinal waves because their oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• Light waves are transverse waves.


  True
• Match the type of transverse wave with its description:

  Light waves ↔️ Oscillations of electric and magnetic fields

  Water waves ↔️ Oscillations on the surface of water

  Radio waves ↔️ Electromagnetic waves used in broadcasting

  Seismic S-waves ↔️ Secondary waves produced by earthquakes
• Order the following longitudinal waves from slowest to fastest speed:

  1️⃣ Sound waves in gases

  2️⃣ Sound waves in liquids

  3️⃣ Sound waves in solids

  4️⃣ Seismic P-waves
• What is an example of a transverse wave?

  Light waves
• What type of wave has oscillations that move perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer?

  Transverse wave
• Light waves are an example of transverse waves.


  True
• What are two examples of longitudinal waves?

  Sound and seismic waves
• What is the everyday context of seismic S-waves?

  Earthquake analysis
• What is a common example of a longitudinal wave?

  Sound wave
• Longitudinal waves are characterized by particle oscillations moving in the same direction as wave propagation.
• The direction of energy transfer is always parallel in both transverse and longitudinal waves.

  False
• Frequency is the number of wave cycles that pass a given point per unit of time.
• Wavelength is the distance between consecutive peaks or troughs of a wave.


  True
• Which type of longitudinal wave travels faster in denser materials?

  Seismic P-waves
• Longitudinal waves are waves in which the oscillations move parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• Sound waves are examples of longitudinal waves.

  True
• Longitudinal waves are waves in which the oscillations move parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• In longitudinal waves, the oscillations move parallel to the direction of energy transfer.
• Match the wave type with its oscillation direction and energy transfer direction:

  Transverse ↔️ Perpendicular and Parallel

  Longitudinal ↔️ Parallel and Parallel
• Light waves are transverse waves that involve oscillations of electric and magnetic fields.
• Water waves are observed on oceans, lakes, and rivers.


  True
• Match the wave type with its examples:

  Transverse ↔️ Light and water waves

  Longitudinal ↔️ Sound and seismic waves
• What is the key difference between transverse and longitudinal waves in terms of oscillation direction?

  Perpendicular vs. parallel
• What does the amplitude of a wave represent?

  Maximum displacement
• Order the wave properties from largest to smallest based on their physical meaning:

  1️⃣ Amplitude

  2️⃣ Wavelength

  3️⃣ Frequency