Answer to Question #164373 in Optics for Theodore

Question

Distinguish between transverse and longitudinal waves.

Answer 1

A wave is a disturbance that propagates energy from one place to another without transporting any matter

there are many types of waves classifying them in different categories .

CLASSIFICATION OF WAVES ON THE BASIS OF MOTION OF ITS PARTICLES

RELATIVE OF MOTION OF WAVE:

TRANSVERSE WAVES:

• in this wave the medium and particle moves perpendicular to the direction of the wave. as the wave propagates in horizontal direction ,particles move in vertical direction.

• it is made up of troughs and crests.

• transverse waves acts in 2-dimensions.

• these waves can be polarized or can be aligned.

• these waves can be produced in both solid and liquid surfaces.
• Examples: 1)waves in string and

2)earthquake S waves

LONGITUDINAL WAVES :

• In this wave the medium or the particle moves in the same direction in which the wave is moving.here , the motion of particle is left and right and force other adjacent particles to vibrate.
• it is made of refraction and compression.

• Longitudinal waves act in 1- dimension.

• these waves cannot be polarized or aligned.

• these waves can be produced in all three medium gas ,liquid and solid.
• Examples: 1) sound waves

2) earthquake P waves