Difference between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

Difference between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

Longitudinal waves

1. In the Longitudinal Waves the particles of the medium vibrate in the direction of waves.

2. The portion of the waves where the particles are very close to each other is called compression.

3. The portion of the waves where the particles of the medium are away from each other i.e. the pressure of the adjacent layer is decreased is called Rarefaction.

4. When the molecules of the medium move forward then compressions are formed.

5. When the molecules of the medium move backward then Rarefactions are formed.

6. The distance between the centers of two Compression or Rarefactions is called the Wave length.

Transverse Waves

1. In Transverse Waves, the particles of the medium vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of waves.

2. The position of a wave in which the particles of the medium arc higher than their normal position is called crest.

3. The portion of the waves where the particles are lower than normal position is known as Trough.

4. The particles of the crest arc at the maximum height of the waves.

5. The particles of Trough are at the lowest position of the wave.

6. The distance between two Crests or two Troughs of the Waves is called Wave length.