Longitudinal and transverse waves

• What do waves always do?

  transfer energy from one place to another
• What kind of energy do ripples on the surface of water transfer ?


  kinetic energy
• What type of energy do sound waves moving through air transfer?


  sound energy
• What are oscillations?

  A wave moving up and down (vibrations)
• What are oscillations like in a transverse wave?


  perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer.

  oscillations= up & down

  directions of energy transfer = sideways
• What are oscillations like in a longitudinal wave?


  parallel to the direction of energy transfer
• What wave shows areas of compression or refraction ?

  longitudinal waves
• What is rarefaction?

  regions of low pressure due to particles being spread further apart
• What is compression?


  regions of high pressure due to particles being close together
• What waves require a medium ?


  longitudinal waves
• What are examples of a medium?

  air, a liquid, or a solid
• What happens to the medium when waves move?

  The medium oscillates/ vibrates it does not travel with the wave
• What are examples of longitudinal waves?


  • sound waves
  • Ultrasound waves
  • Seismic P-waves
• What are examples of transverse waves?


  • ripples on the surface of water
  • vibrations in a guitar string
  • a Mexican wave in a sports stadium