What are Longitudinal Waves?

Longitudinal waves refer to the waves in which particles present in the medium travel parallel to the direction of the wave.

  • These waves have two parts: Compressions and Rarefactions.
  • The to-and-fro movement of the particle results in the vibration of other particles in the medium.
  • It can be obtained in all three mediums: solid, liquid, and gas.
  • It creates pressure difference in the medium
  • Sound waves, seismic waves are one of the examples of longitudinal waves.

Compression : Compression is a region in lognitudinal waves where particles come closer to each other

Rarefaction : Rarefaction is a region in logitudinal waves where particles are farthest from each other.

Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves: Waves are disturbance that travels in the medium and transfer energy. Waves are of different types: mechanical, electromagnetic, and matter waves. The longitudinal waves are waves in which particles present in the medium travel parallel along with the direction of the wave.

The longitudinal waves consist of compression and rarefaction while Transverse waves are waves in which particles present in the medium travel perpendicularly to the direction of the wave. The transverse waves consist of crests and troughs.

In this article, we have provided the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves, along with their definition, diagrams, examples, and similarities.

Table of Content

  • Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves
  • What are Longitudinal Waves?
  • What are Transverse Waves?
  • Similarities Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

Similar Reads

Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

The difference between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves is shown below:...

What are Longitudinal Waves?

Longitudinal waves refer to the waves in which particles present in the medium travel parallel to the direction of the wave....

What are Transverse Waves?

Transverse waves refer to the waves in which particles present in the medium travels perpendicular to the direction of the wave....

Similarities Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

The similarity between long longitudinal and transverse waves are showing below:...

Conclusion- Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

From the above description we conclude that when particle in the medium travels parallel to direction of wave it is longitudinal wave and if it travels perpendicular to direction of wave it is transverse wave. Sound waves and earthquake P waves are examples of longitudinal waves. Water waves and earthquake S waves are examples of transverse waves. Longitudinal waves have two parts: compression and rarefaction whereas transverse waves have two parts: crests and troughs. The movement of particle in longitudinal waves results in vibration of other particles whereas i transverse waves it results in horizontal expansion of the wave....

FAQs on Difference Between Longitudinal and Transverse Waves

Some of the important FAQs on Longitudinal and Transverse Waves are given below:...