Transverse & Longitudinal Waves

Transverse Waves

• The definition of transverse wave is a wave moving across or perpendicular to the direction that the wave is traveling

• People think that transverse waves move in an up and down motion, which they do not.

What A Transverse Wave Looks Like

• Transverse waves are composed of two parts; the trough and the crest.

• The trough is the lowest point between each crest.

• The crest is the highest point of a transverse wave.

Properties of Waves• The amplitude of the transverse wave is the maximum

distance the wave vibrates from its rest position• The rest position is where the particles of a medium

stay when there are no disturbances.• The larger the amplitude the taller the wave is.• Larger amplitude means more energy.

small amplitude=low energy

LARGE AMPLITUDE=HIGH ENERGY

Measuring a Transverse Wave

• Transverse waves are measured with frequency, or the

number of waves produced in a given amount of time.• 1 hertz = 1 wave per second. 1 Hz = 1/s• For a transverse wave measuring from crest to crest,

or trough to trough, is one wavelength.• Counting the number of crests usually gives you the

frequency.

Longitudinal Waves• The definition of longitudinal wave, or

compressional wave, is the particles of the medium vibrate back and forth along the path the wave travel.

What A Longitudinal Wave Looks Like

• A section in a longitudinal wave where the particles are crowded (more dense) together is called a compression.

• A section where the particles are less crowded (less dense) than normal is called the rarefaction.

Measuring a Longitudinal Wave

• For a longitudinal wave, measuring from rarefaction to rarefaction or compression to compression

• To increase the amplitude of a longitudinal wave, increase the size of the compression

• To increase the frequency of a longitudinal wave increase the number of compressions