Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves: Waves are disturbance that travels in the medium and transfer energy. Waves are of different types: mechanical, electromagnetic, and matter waves. The longitudinal waves are waves in which particles present in the medium travel parallel along with the direction of the wave.

The longitudinal waves consist of compression and rarefaction while Transverse waves are waves in which particles present in the medium travel perpendicularly to the direction of the wave. The transverse waves consist of crests and troughs.

In this article, we have provided the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves, along with their definition, diagrams, examples, and similarities.

The difference between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves is shown below:

Longitudinal waves refer to the waves in which particles present in the medium travel parallel to the direction of the wave.

• These waves have two parts: Compressions and Rarefactions.
• The to-and-fro movement of the particle results in the vibration of other particles in the medium.
• It can be obtained in all three mediums: solid, liquid, and gas.
• It creates pressure difference in the medium
• Sound waves, seismic waves are one of the examples of longitudinal waves.

Compression : Compression is a region in lognitudinal waves where particles come closer to each other

Rarefaction : Rarefaction is a region in logitudinal waves where particles are farthest from each other.

Read in Detail: Longitudinal Wave: Definition, Examples, Formula

Transverse waves refer to the waves in which particles present in the medium travels perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

• These waves have two parts: Crests and troughs.
• The top and bottom movement of the particle results in the horizontal expansion of the wave.
• It can be obtained in two mediums only on the surface of solid and liquid.
• It do not create pressure difference in the medium.
• It may be elastic waves or non elastic waves .
• Water waves, light waves is one of the examples of transverse waves.

Crest: A point in medium where the displacement is maximum on downward or negative side as compared to position of rest. It is the topmost peak of graph wave, in sound waves crest represents region of compression.

Trough: A point in medium where the displacement is maximum on upward or positive side as compared to position of rest. It is the bottommost peak of graph wave, in sound waves crest represents region of rarefaction.

Polarization

Polarization is the property of waves which describes the oscillation of waves in more than one orientation. Transverse waves exhibit property of polarization but longitudinal waves doesnt have this property. In longitudinal waves particles oscillate only in same direction as wave travels ,leaving no room for varying orientation oscillation.

The similarity between long longitudinal and transverse waves are showing below:

• Both longitudinal and transverse are mechanical waves.
• Both waves are obtained due to movement of particle present in the medium.
• Both longitudinal and transverse waves have wavelength and frequency.

People Also Read:

• Introduction to Waves – Definition, Types, Properties
• What Type of Wave is Sound – Longitudinal or Transverse
• What is Wave Motion?

From the above description we conclude that when particle in the medium travels parallel to direction of wave it is longitudinal wave and if it travels perpendicular to direction of wave it is transverse wave. Sound waves and earthquake P waves are examples of longitudinal waves. Water waves and earthquake S waves are examples of transverse waves. Longitudinal waves have two parts: compression and rarefaction whereas transverse waves have two parts: crests and troughs. The movement of particle in longitudinal waves results in vibration of other particles whereas i transverse waves it results in horizontal expansion of the wave.

Some of the important FAQs on Longitudinal and Transverse Waves are given below:

Definition of Transverse Waves?

The waves in which particles in the medium travels perpendicular to the direction of waves, such waves are called as transverse waves.

Give Some Examples of Longitudinal Waves?

Some examples of longitudinal waves are sound waves, some earthquake waves.

Definition of Longitudinal Waves?

The waves in which particles in the medium travels parallel to the direction of waves, such waves are called as longitudinal waves.

What is the direction of the particle in Transverse Waves and Longitudinal Waves?

The direction of the particle in transverse waves is perpendicular to the direction of waves whereas the direction of the particle in longitudinal waves is parallel to the direction of wave.