9702 · 7.2
Transverse and longitudinal waves
Waves are nature's way of carrying energy from one place to another without physically moving the material itself. Think of them as energy messengers. We'll explore two main types: those that wiggle sideways (transverse) and those that push and pull forwards (longitudinal).
Need to know
What you need to know
- 7.2 Transverse and longitudinal waves.
- Transverse waves are waves where the particles vibrate perpendicular along the lines of motions and consists of a series of “ crest ” and “ troughs ”.
- Examples include electromagnetic waves, water ripples and vibration on a guitar string.
- Longitudinal waves are waves where the particles vibrate along the lines of motion and consist of a series of compression and expansions (rarefractions).
- Examples include sound waves.
- Visual and graphical representation of transverse waves.
Explanation
Waves: Energy in Motion
- **Identify Oscillation**: Check if particles move perpendicular or parallel to energy flow.
- **Spot Examples**: Match specific waves (light, sound) to their type.
- **Measure Key Features**: Understand wavelength, frequency, and period from graphs.
- **Test for Polarisation**: If a wave can be polarised, it MUST be transverse.