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 in air
• All waves are either transverse or longitudinal
• Waves


  Transfer energy from one place to another
• Transverse waves


  • Oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer
• Longitudinal waves


  • Oscillations are parallel to the direction of energy transfer
• Longitudinal waves require a medium to travel in (e.g. air, liquid, solid)
• Not all transverse waves require a medium
• When waves move, it is the wave that moves, not the medium (e.g. water molecules, air particles)