difference between longitudinal and transverse wave - Overview, Structure, Properties & Uses

Q: Difference between transverse wave and longitudinal wave

Longitudinal Wave transverse Wave In the same direction as the wave, the medium moves. The medium is travelling in the opposite direction of the wave. It just has one dimension of action. It has two-dimensional effects. It is impossible to polarise or align the wave. The wave might be aligned or polarised. This wave can occur in any media, including gas, liquid, and solid. This wave can be generated on the surface of a solid or a liquid. A good example is the earthquake P wave. The S wave of an earthquake is an example. It's made up of compressions and rarefactions. It is composed up of crests and troughs.

Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Wave - Definition, FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on May 28, 2022 03:45 PM IST

In this article we are going to learn about what are transverse and longitudinal waves, difference between longitudinal wave and transverse wave and many more

Wave Definition

A wave is a disturbance that allows energy to be transferred from one point to another through a medium.

This energy comes from particle motion, which is transmitted to surrounding particles via vibrations.

This does not indicate that the medium's particles move from one location to another, but rather that they vibrate at their current places.

Frequency, amplitude, and wavelength are only a few of the qualities of a wave.

Longitudinal and Transverse waves are two types of waves characterised by the vibrations of the medium's particles.

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Wave Definition
Longitudinal Wave Definition
Transverse Wave Definition
Difference between transverse and longitudinal waves

Longitudinal Wave Definition

A longitudinal wave is one in which the particle's displacement is parallel to the direction of propagation of the wave.

Furthermore, longitudinal waves are defined by wave motion that is parallel to particle motion.

A sound wave traveling through air is a nice example of a longitudinal wave.

Transverse Wave Definition

A transverse wave is one in which the particle's displacement is parallel to the wave propagation direction.

Furthermore, the transverse wave is defined by wave motion that is perpendicular to particle motion.

Furthermore, transverse waves require a very hard medium to carry their energy.

NCERT Physics Notes :

Difference between transverse and longitudinal waves

Longitudinal Wave	transverse Wave
In the same direction as the wave, the medium moves.	The medium is travelling in the opposite direction of the wave.
It just has one dimension of action.	It has two-dimensional effects.
It is impossible to polarise or align the wave.	The wave might be aligned or polarised.
This wave can occur in any media, including gas, liquid, and solid.	This wave can be generated on the surface of a solid or a liquid.
A good example is the earthquake P wave.	The S wave of an earthquake is an example.
It's made up of compressions and rarefactions.	It is composed up of crests and troughs.

Sound Waves

Sound waves are longitudinal in nature. This is due to the fact that when it travels through air, the particles move back and forth, causing the air pressure to vary, resulting in the formation of a longitudinal wave.

One of the most essential characteristics of sound waves is that they can only travel in a medium.

An easy experiment to demonstrate this is to place an electrical bell in a vacuum-sealed jar.

When the bell rings, the person standing outside is unable to hear it since sound travels via no medium.

The medium determines the speed of sound waves.

In a denser medium, vibrations travel faster because the particles are closer together.

This is why sound travels faster in water than it does in air.

The nature of sound is determined by the properties of sound waves.

Low-frequency sounds are flat, whereas high-frequency noises are harsh.
Sounds with a high amplitude are loud, whereas those with a low amplitude are quiet.
A sound's quality distinguishes it from sounds produced by different instruments with the same frequency and loudness.

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More information about the Longitudinal Wave

Sound waves and seismic P-waves are examples of longitudinal waves.

Furthermore, sound waves are created by particles of displacement, pressure vibrations, and particle velocity.

Explosions and earthquakes, on the other hand, are responsible for the generation of seismic P-waves.

The displacement of the medium in a longitudinal wave is almost always parallel to the wave's propagation.

A wave along the length of a stretched Slinky toy is also a suitable visual representation.

Compare this to a standing wave along a transversal, such as a string on an oscillating guitar.

Solids do support transverse waves, often known as S-waves in seismology.

In addition, there is a wave and velocity impedance for longitudinal sound waves in solids.

Furthermore, the stiffness and density of the material influence the wave and velocity impedance.

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More information about the Transverse Wave

A transverse wave is a moving wave with oscillations that are perpendicular to the propagation path.

Furthermore, the wave created on the membrane of a drum is an excellent illustration of such a wave.

Furthermore, the waves propagate in directions that are parallel to the membrane's plane of propagation.

Transverse waves are a common phenomenon in elastic substances.

Furthermore, in such a circumstance, the oscillations cause the solid particles to be displaced away from their site of relaxation, in a direction perpendicular to the wave's propagation.

Furthermore, such a transverse wave is known as a shear wave.

Shear waves are sometimes known as S-waves or secondary waves in seismology.

A classic example of a longitudinal wave is a pressure wave in solids, liquids, or gases.

Furthermore, the material expands and contracts as a result of the oscillations of such a pressure wave.

Furthermore, this is how a longitudinal wave is distinguished from a transverse wave.

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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1. Difference between transverse wave and longitudinal wave

Longitudinal Wave	transverse Wave
In the same direction as the wave, the medium moves.	The medium is travelling in the opposite direction of the wave.
It just has one dimension of action.	It has two-dimensional effects.
It is impossible to polarise or align the wave.	The wave might be aligned or polarised.
This wave can occur in any media, including gas, liquid, and solid.	This wave can be generated on the surface of a solid or a liquid.
A good example is the earthquake P wave.	The S wave of an earthquake is an example.
It's made up of compressions and rarefactions.	It is composed up of crests and troughs.

2. What causes sound waves to be produced?

The creation of sound waves is caused by elements such as particle velocity, particle movement, and pressure vibrations.

3. Is sound longitudinal or transverse wave?

Sound is a longitudinal wave.

4. Is light longitudinal or transverse, and if so, how?

Because light has both electric and magnetic energy components, it is referred to as an electromagnetic wave.

All electromagnetic waves go in the same direction.

Light waves travel without the need for a medium and can transfer both electrical and magnetic energy.

Because light has varying wavelengths, it appears in different colours for different wavelength ranges.

The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs is known as the wavelength.

Light waves propagate in a straight line, which is known as linear propagation.

5. How do waves in a string form?

These are transverse waves because the particles of a string are constrained and travel perpendicular to the wave direction.

There are peaks and troughs in these vibrations.

Standing waves are formed when multiple waves are produced in a string.

A standing wave is made up of two waves travelling in opposite directions.

Their energies either cancel each other out or combine.