Transverse and longitudinal waves

• Waves may be transverse or longitudinal.
• Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves with a wide range of properties and uses.
• Sound waves are longitudinal waves.
• In longitudinal waves, the particles move in the same direction as the vibration and the vibrations are parallel to the direction of wave travel.
• Examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves and ultrasound waves.
• Longitudinal waves such as seismic P-waves may be thought of as pressure or push waves as the particles move parallel to the wave.
• Longitudinal waves are often demonstrated by pushing and pulling a stretched slinky spring.
• In the diagram, the compressions move from left to right and energy is transferred from left to right.
• However, none of the particles are transported along a longitudinal wave.
• Instead, they move backwards and forwards between compressions as the wave is transmitted through the medium.
• The medium in longitudinal waves is a material through which a wave can be transmitted (propagate).
• Waves may be transverse or longitudinal.
• Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves with a wide range of properties and uses.
• In transverse waves, the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of wave travel.
• Examples of transverse waves include: ripples on the surface of water, vibrations in a guitar string, a Mexican wave in a sports stadium, electromagnetic waves such as light waves, microwaves, and radio waves, and seismic S-waves.
• One way to remember the movement of particles in transverse waves is to use the 'S' sound: transverse waves such as seismic S-waves may be thought of as shake or shear waves as the particles move from side-to-side crossing the direction of wave travel.
• Transverse waves are often demonstrated by moving a rope rapidly up and down.
• Energy is transferred from left to right in a transverse wave, but none of the particles are transported along the wave.
• The particles move up and down as the wave is transmitted through the medium.
• Waves may be transverse or longitudinal.
• A material through which a wave can be transmitted (propagate) is referred to as a medium.
• Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves with a wide range of properties and uses.
• The vibrations or oscillations of a transverse wave are changes in electrical and magnetic fields at right angles to the direction of wave travel.
• Electromagnetic waves transfer energy as radiation, which is energy transferred as a wave spreading out from a source, such as light, infrared, and sound.
• Electromagnetic waves can travel through a vacuum at the same speed as through the air.
• The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuous spectrum, which includes waves with a very short wavelength, high frequency, and high energy.
• Each group in the electromagnetic spectrum contains a range of frequencies.
• Visible light contains all the frequencies that can be detected by the human eye, with red light having the lowest frequencies of visible light and violet light having the highest frequencies of visible light.
• Electromagnetic waves are transverse waves with a wide range of properties and uses
• Sound waves are longitudinal waves
• The behaviour of an electromagnetic wave in a substance depends on its frequency
• The differing behaviours of different groups in the electromagnetic spectrum make them suitable for a range of uses
• Radio waves are used for communication such as television and radio
• Ultraviolet light in sunlight can cause the skin to tan or burn.
• Infrared cameras can detect people in the dark.
• The human eye cannot see infrared light but infrared cameras can detect it.
• Infrared light has frequencies which are absorbed by some chemical bonds.
• The internal energy of the molecules increases when they absorb microwaves, which causes heating.
• Radio waves are transmitted easily through air
• Visible light is the light we can see.