Transverse & Longitudinal Waves Flashcards

All 6 cards in this deck

What is a transverse wave?

A wave in which the oscillations are at right angles to the direction of energy transfer, e.g. water waves, electromagnetic waves, seismic S-waves.

What is a longitudinal wave?

A wave in which the oscillations are parallel to (along) the direction of energy transfer, e.g. sound waves and seismic P-waves.

What is a compression in a longitudinal wave?

A region where the particles are squashed close together (higher pressure).

What is a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

A region where the particles are spread further apart (lower pressure).

Which seismic waves are longitudinal and which are transverse?

P-waves are longitudinal; S-waves are transverse.

True or false? Sound waves in air are transverse waves.

False. Sound waves are longitudinal — the air particles vibrate along the direction the wave travels.