DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSVERSE WAVES AND LONGITUDINAL WAVES FOR CLASS 9 PHYSICS

What is the difference between Transverse waves and longitudinal waves ?

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSVERSE WAVES AND LONGITUDINAL WAVES

TRANSVERSE WAVES

1. Transverse waves can travel through vacuum as well as through a material medium.
2. In transverse waves, the particles of the medium vibrate at right angles to the direction of wave.
3. Transverse waves consist of crests and troughs.
4. Transverse waves can be polarized.
5. Example: Light wave which is not a mechanical wave.

LONGITUDINAL WAVES

1. Longitudinal waves can travel only through a medium, not through vacuum.
2. In longitudinal waves, the particles to the medium vibrate parallel to the direction of wave.
3. Longitudinal waves consist of compressions and rarefactions.
4. Longitudial waves cannot be polarized.
5. Example: Sound wave which is a mechanical wave.