Longitudinal and transverse waves

• Longitudinal waves

  Vibrations are parallel to the direction of wave travel
• Longitudinal waves

  • Areas of compression (high pressure)
  • Rarefactions (low pressure)
• Transverse waves

  Vibrations are perpendicular to the direction of wave travel
• Transverse waves


  • Transfer energy as radiation
  • Can travel through a vacuum
  • Travel at the same speed through a vacuum or the air
• Uses of waves

  • Radio (communication, satellite transmissions)
  • Microwave (cooking, communication, satellites)
  • Infrared (heaters, cameras, optic fibres)
  • Visible (photography)
  • Ultraviolet (crime medical practices)
  • X-ray (medical use to examine the body)
  • Gamma (sterilization, nuclear industry)
• Electromagnetic spectrum

  • Radio
  • Microwave
  • Infrared
  • Visible
  • Ultraviolet
  • X-ray
  • Gamma
• Characteristics of electromagnetic waves


  • As you go further along electromagnetic spectrum the wavelength decreases and frequency increases