Difference between longitudinal waves and transverse waves
|
Longitudinal waves |
Transverse waves |
| · In the longitudinal waves, the particles of the medium vibrate in the direction of waves. | · In the transverse waves, the particles of the medium vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of waves. |
| · The portion of the waves where the particles are very close to each other is called compression. | · The position of the waves where the particles are higher than the normal position is called the crest. |
| · The portion of the waves where the particles are away from each other is called rarefaction. | · The position of the waves where the particles lower than normal position is called the trough. |
| · When the molecules of the medium move forward then compression is formed. | · The particles of the crest are at the highest position of the waves. |
| · When the molecules of the medium move backward then rarefaction is formed. | · The particles of the trough are at the lowest position of the waves. |
| · The distance between the centers is called the compression or rarefaction is called the wavelength. | · The distance between two crests or two troughs of the waves is called a wavelength. |
LONGITUDINAL WAVES
Definition
If the particles of the medium are vibrating in the direction of the waves then the waves produced are called Longitudinal Waves’.
- Sound waves
- Waves in stretched spring
In these type of waves compressed regions and rarefied regions are produced which are called
Compression and Rare factions” respectively
TRANSVERSE WAVES
Definition
If the particles of the medium vibrate perpendicularly with the direction of waves then the waves are called Transverse Waves.
Example
- Water waves
- Radio waves
- Light Waves
- Micro Waves
Explanation
When transverse waves are produced then the pattern we get is like the movement of a snake as shown below. In these types of waves, elevations and depressions are produced.
Elevation ¡s called Crest and depression is called Trough’
