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Waves in Matter

Transverse and longitudinal waves

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 12 (Physics)

Overview

How the direction of vibration differs in transverse and longitudinal waves, crests and troughs, compressions and rarefactions, an example of each type, and what the two types have in common.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Compare the vibrations in transverse and longitudinal waves, name the high and low points of a transverse wave, and define a compression.

Key term

In a transverse wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?

Key term

In a longitudinal wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    In a transverse wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?

    Model answer

    The vibrations are at right angles to the direction the wave travels.

  2. 2

    In a longitudinal wave, how does the direction of vibration compare with the direction the wave travels?

    Model answer

    The vibrations are along the same line as the direction the wave travels.

  3. 3

    What are the high and low points of a transverse wave called?

    Model answer

    The high points are crests and the low points are troughs.

  4. 4

    What are the two kinds of region found along a longitudinal wave called?

    Model answer

    Compressions and rarefactions.

  5. 5

    What is a compression in a longitudinal wave?

    Model answer

    A region where the particles are pushed closer together than normal, so the pressure is higher.

  6. 6

    What is a rarefaction in a longitudinal wave?

    Model answer

    A region where the particles are spread further apart than normal, so the pressure is lower.

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