Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves (GCSE Physics)

Transverse vs Longitudinal Waves

Transverse and Longitudinal Waves

Transverse Waves

• Ripples are transverse waves. On the surface of the water, ripples can form. These are transverse waves. This is because the oscillation of the waves is perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Longitudinal Waves

• Sound waves are longitudinal waves. Sound waves can be produced from speakers, from our voices or even from the electromagnetic spectrum in the form of ultrasound waves. These are all longitudinal waves, since the oscillation of the waves is parallel to the direction of travel.
• Compression and rarefaction form these waves. Longitudinal waves are formed of areas of compression and rarefaction. In areas of compression, the crests of the waves are very close together. In areas of rarefaction, the crests of the waves are quite far apart. We can see this in figure 2.

  

   

Wave Travel

• Matter is not transferred. When waves are formed, matter doesn’t travel. If we think of the examples of sound waves and ripples on water, we know that the air and the water are not transferred.
• Energy is transferred. Instead of matter being transferred, energy will be transferred. This means that the particles in the air and water will remain where they are, but energy will be transferred between them. This means that the wave itself is the ‘thing’ that travels, not the air or water.