Longitudinal and Transverse waves, Difference between transverse and longitudinal waves.

The particle of a medium can execute vibrations in two possible ways, are;

1. Vibrations at right angles to the direction of propagation of the wave.

2. Vibrations along the direction of propagation of the wave.

Accordingly, there are two types of wave motions;

1. Transverse wave motion

2. Longitudinal wave motion

Transverse wave motion : Transverse wave is a wave in which the particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction of propagation of the wave.

              

Courtesy : everything science

Examples of Transverse waves are :

1. Ripples produced on the surface of water when a stone is dropped. In this case, the individual particles of the medium (water) vibrate up and down, in a direction at right angles to the direction in which the ripples travel.

2. Waves produced in a rope fixed at one end, when given number of jerks at the other end. Every part (particles of the rope) moves up and down, while the wave train travels forward along the rope.
Fig (a) shows wave motion.
                                           other examples of transverse waves are electromagnetic waves such as light waves, heat waves, X-rays, gamma- rays and radio waves. waves produced in a stretched string e.g., in a sitar, guitar, violin, sonometer etc. are transverse waves.

                      

                      Fig :   Transverse (a) and longitudinal (b) waves.

Courtesy: cliffsnotes

Longitudinal Wave Motion : It is that type of wave motion in which the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth about their mean positions parallel to the direction of propagation (motion) of the wave.

Examples of Longitudinal waves are :

1. Sound waves traveling in air.

2. Waves produced in a spring when pushed at one end. As shown in fig (b), the coils move forward and backward along the direction in which the wave travels.

3. Waves in the stem of a vibrating tuning fork.

4. Wave motion set up in the engine of a train due to which motion is transferred from engine to the last wagon of the train.


What is the difference between Transverse and Longitudinal Waves?

The difference between transverse waves and longitudinal waves is 

Transverse waves                                                                    Longitudinal waves

1.