How are transverse and compressional waves different?

The direction of oscillation relative to the direction of travel. Transverse waves oscillate in one direction while traveling in another. Compressional, or longitudinal waves, oscillate “three steps forward, two steps back” in the same direction as the overall direction of travel. read more

Transverse waves oscillate in one direction while traveling in another. Compressional, or longitudinal waves, oscillate “three steps forward, two steps back” in the same direction as the overall direction of travel. Water waves are transverse, sound waves are longitudinal earthquake waves come in both kinds, gravitational waves are transverse. read more

A wave on a string is the classic example of a transverse wave. Each part of the string moves up and down while the wave moves from side to side. Transverse waves can not happen in gases because the perpendicular motion is not created by any force. A Slinky is a great way to visualize longitudinal waves. read more

Transverse Wave - A wave in chich the medicumvibrates in a direction perpendicular (transverse) to the directionin which the wave travels. Light and water waves are transverse. For more in details read below: Briefly, a longitudinal wave is any wave where the quantity that isoscillating is associated only with the direction of propagation ofthe wave. read more