5.1.1 transverse & longitudinal waves

• Transverse waves

  • causes the particles of the medium (substance that the wave travels through) to vibrate at right angles to the direction of the wave’s motion.
  • a cork in water and the coils in springs are examples of this
  • they move up and down as the wave passes
• Transverse wave examples:

  • moving springs - move up and down as the wave passes. return to original position after wave has passed. wave moves without transferring matter because the spring coils do not travel along with the wave
  • Mexican wave
  • corks bobbing on water
• Longitudinal waves

  • causes the medium’s particles to vibrate in the same direction as the wave’s motion.
  • Examples: sound waves, pushing a spring in and out, P-waves (pressure waves caused by earthquakes)
• How will a cork behave in water when waves are present?

  The cork will bob up and down as the wave passes.

  The cork will not move in the direction of the wave.