Wave Comparison

What are the characteristics of transverse waves?

• Particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

• Particles do not oscillate in transverse waves.

• Particles oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

• Transverse waves can only occur in solids.

What are the characteristics of longitudinal waves?

• Longitudinal waves have particles that do not vibrate.

• Longitudinal waves have particles that vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

• Longitudinal waves have particles that vibrate in a circular motion.

• Longitudinal waves have particles that vibrate parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

Give an example of a transverse wave.

• electromagnetic wave

• sound wave

• wave on a string

• standing wave

Give an example of a longitudinal wave.

• light wave

• transverse wave

• electromagnetic wave

• sound wave

How do transverse and longitudinal waves differ in terms of particle motion?

• Particles in transverse waves move in a circular motion, while particles in longitudinal waves move in a straight line.

• Particles in transverse waves do not move, while particles in longitudinal waves move in a zigzag pattern.

• Particles in transverse waves move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, while particles in longitudinal waves move parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

• Particles in transverse waves move parallel to the direction of wave propagation, while particles in longitudinal waves move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Which type of wave requires a medium to propagate?

• sound wave

• transverse wave

• longitudinal wave

• electromagnetic (light) wave

Which type of wave can travel through a vacuum?

• Water waves

• Electromagnetic (light) waves

• Sound waves

• Seismic waves

Label the wave in the picture

b

a

d

e

f

wavelength

trough

transverse wave

amplitude

crest

longitudinal wave

Label the wave in the picture

a

c

d

rarefaction

longitudinal wave

transverse wave

compression