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 compressions and rarefactions 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.

Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

The difference between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves is shown below:

Characterization	Longitudinal Waves	Transverse Waves
Definition	Longitudinal waves are waves that have particles in the medium that travel parallel to the wave direction.	Transverse waves are waves that have particles in the medium that travel perpendicular to the wave direction.
Parts	It has two parts: compression and rarefaction.	It has two parts: Crests and troughs.
Movement of particles	Particles move to and fro in the medium.	Particles move up and down in the medium.
Result of movement	The movement of particles results in the vibration of other particles.	The movement of particles results in horizontal wave expansion.
Polarization	No polarization can be done.	Polarization can be done.
Alignment	No alignment is possible.	Alignment is possible.
Medium	It can be obtained in all mediums: solid, liquid, and gas.	It can only be obtained in solid and liquid states.
Density of medium	The density of the medium can be changed.	No change in the density of the medium.
Examples	Sound waves are examples of longitudinal waves.	Water waves are examples of transverse waves.

What are Longitudinal Waves?

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.
• Sound 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

What are Transverse Waves?

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: solid and liquid.
• Water 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.

Similarities Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

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?

Conclusion- Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

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.

FAQs on Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

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.