What are longitudinal and transverse waves?

Longitudinal versus Transverse Waves versus Surface Waves. One way to categorize waves is on the basis of the direction of movement of the individual particles of the medium relative to the direction that the waves travel. read more

Mechanical Waves are waves which propagate through a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) at a wave speed which depends on the elastic and inertial properties of that medium. There are two basic types of wave motion for mechanical waves: longitudinal waves and transverse waves. read more

In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the wave's direction of travel. Transverse waves are characterized by peaks and valleys, called crests and troughs. In a longitudinal wave, the particles of the medium move parallel to the wave's direction of travel. read more

Transverse waves. Light and other types of electromagnetic radiation are transverse waves. Water waves and S waves (a type of seismic wave) are also transverse waves. In transverse waves, the vibrations are at right angles to the direction of travel. read more

Longitudinal and Transverse Wave Motion. Mechanical Waves are waves which propagate through a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) at a wave speed which depends on the elastic and inertial properties of that medium. There are two basic types of wave motion for mechanical waves: longitudinal waves and transverse waves. read more

Waves can be divided into two major groups: transverse waves and longitudinal waves. In a transverse wave, the particles of the medium move perpendicular to the wave's direction of travel. Transverse waves are characterized by peaks and valleys, called crests and troughs. read more

A transverse wave is a wave in which the motion of the medium is a right angles to the direction of the wave. A wave on a rope is a transverse wave. Light and other electromagnetic waves are also transverse waves. read more