Waves and Energy: Types of Waves

Waves and Energy

Types of Waves

Longitudinal Waves

• Definition: Waves in which the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth along the direction of propagation.
• Characteristics:
  • Compressions: particles are close together
  • Rarefactions: particles are far apart
  • Particles oscillate along the direction of wave propagation
• Examples:
  • Sound waves in a gas
  • Seismic P-waves (primary waves) in the Earth's interior

Transverse Waves

• Definition: Waves in which the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
• Characteristics:
  • Particles oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the wave propagation
  • Crests: highest points of the wave
  • Troughs: lowest points of the wave
• Examples:
  • Water waves (ripples) on a lake
  • Light waves (electromagnetic waves)
  • Seismic S-waves (shear waves) in the Earth's interior

Types of Waves

Longitudinal Waves

• Particles of the medium vibrate back and forth along the direction of propagation.
• Characterized by compressions (particles close together) and rarefactions (particles far apart).
• Particles oscillate along the direction of wave propagation.
• Examples include sound waves in a gas and seismic P-waves (primary waves) in the Earth's interior.

Transverse Waves

• Particles of the medium vibrate perpendicular to the direction of propagation.
• Particles oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the wave propagation.
• Waves have crests (highest points) and troughs (lowest points).
• Examples include water waves (ripples) on a lake, light waves (electromagnetic waves), and seismic S-waves (shear waves) in the Earth's interior.