• In mechanical waves, particles?oscillate?about fixed points
• There are two types of wave:?transverse?and?longitudinal
• The type of wave can be determined by the direction of the oscillations in relation to the direction the wave is travelling

Transverse Waves

• A transverse wave is defined as:

A wave in which the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of the wave travel (and energy transfer)

• Transverse waves show areas of?crests?(peaks) and?troughs

Diagram of a transverse wave

• Examples of transverse waves are:
  • Electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, visible light, UV
  • Vibrations on a guitar string

   

• Transverse waves can be shown on a?rope
• Transverse waves?can?be polarised

Longitudinal Waves

• A longitudinal wave is defined as:

A wave in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of the wave travel (and energy transfer)

• Longitudinal waves show areas of?compressions?and?rarefactions
  • Compressions are regions of?increased?pressure
  • Rarefactions are regions of?decreased?pressure

   

Diagram of a longitudinal wave

• Examples of longitudinal waves are:
  • Sound waves
  • Ultrasound waves

   

• Longitudinal waves can be shown on a?slinky spring
• Longitudinal waves?cannot?be polarised
• Energy is transmitted through the wave by:
  • The particles in the medium vibrating as they are given energy
  • The compressions cause the nearby particles to also vibrate with more energy
  • This produces a compression further along in the medium

   

A wavelength on a longitudinal wave is the distance between two compressions or two rarefactions

• Energy is transferred through moving?oscillations?or?vibrations. These can be seen in vibrations of ropes or springs

Waves can be shown through vibrations in ropes or springs

• The oscillations / vibrations can be perpendicular or parallel to the direction of wave travel:
  • Waves which oscillate in a?perpendicular?direction are?transverse?waves
  • Waves which oscillate in a?parallel?direction are?longitudinal?waves

   

• Examples of transverse waves are:
  • Electromagnetic waves e.g. radio, visible light, UV
  • Vibrations on a guitar string
  • Waves on a string
  • Seismic (S) waves

   

• Examples of longitudinal waves are:
  • Sound waves
  • Ultrasound waves
  • Waves through a slinky coil
  • Seismic (P) waves