transverse and longitudinal waves

• Transverse waves


  Waves where the oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
• Longitudinal waves


  Waves where the oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
• Transverse waves


  • Ripples on the surface of water
• Longitudinal waves


  • Sound waves traveling through air
• All waves transfer energy from one place to another
• Transverse waves transfer kinetic energy
• Longitudinal waves transfer sound energy
• Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel in (e.g. air, liquid, solid)
• Not all transverse waves require a medium
• In waves, it is the wave that moves, not the medium
• When a wave travels

  A single point in the medium oscillates but does not travel with the wave