Transverse and longitudinal waves

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of transverse and longitudinal waves as they pass through slits oriented in different directions. Participants explore the implications of polarization, the effects of slit orientation on wave amplitude, and the fundamental differences between wave types.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why transverse waves do not pass through a horizontal slit when the slits are perpendicular, suggesting that amplitude becomes zero in this case.
  • Another participant explains that this behavior is related to polarization, noting that transverse waves can exhibit two polarization states while longitudinal waves have only one.
  • A different participant emphasizes that transverse vibrations are the only ones that have a component away from the direction of propagation, which is why polarization can occur.
  • Some participants argue about whether longitudinal waves would also have their amplitude reduced when passing through a vertical slit, with one suggesting that energy flux is reduced but not amplitude to zero.
  • Another participant asserts that neither vertical nor horizontal slits will stop longitudinal waves, as neither is aligned with the oscillation plane of the longitudinal wave.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of slit orientation on wave amplitude, particularly regarding longitudinal waves. There is no consensus on whether longitudinal waves can have their amplitude reduced to zero by a vertical slit.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts such as polarization and vector components, indicating a reliance on definitions and assumptions about wave behavior that may not be universally agreed upon.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying wave mechanics, particularly in understanding the differences between transverse and longitudinal waves and their interactions with obstacles.

smart_worker
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let me make it clear this is NOT A HOMEWORK.i am just having a doubt.
if there is a rope passing through two parallel vertical slits placed close to each other. The rope is fixed and if it's moved up and down perpendicular to its length,transverse waves are generated with
vibrations parallel to the slit.But if the second slit is made horizontal, the two slits are perpendicular to each other. Now, no vibrations will pass through the second slit and amplitude of vibrations will become zero.but how is that possible?:confused:

On the otherhand, if longitudinal waves are generated in the rope by moving the rope along forward and backward, the vibrations will pass through them irrespective of their positions.

why only longitudinal waves exhibit this behaviour
 
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smart_worker said:
if the second slit is made horizontal, the two slits are perpendicular to each other. Now, no vibrations will pass through the second slit and amplitude of vibrations will become zero.but how is that possible?:confused:

On the otherhand, if longitudinal waves are generated in the rope by moving the rope along forward and backward, the vibrations will pass through them irrespective of their positions.

why only longitudinal waves exhibit this behaviour
The phenomenon you are describing is called polarization. It is one of the distinguishing features of transverse waves that they have two polarization states and one of the distinguishing features of longitudinal waves that they have only one. That is why light waves were known to be transverse long before Maxwells equations.
 
smart_worker said:
let me make it clear this is NOT A HOMEWORK.i am just having a doubt.
if there is a rope passing through two parallel vertical slits placed close to each other. The rope is fixed and if it's moved up and down perpendicular to its length,transverse waves are generated with
vibrations parallel to the slit.But if the second slit is made horizontal, the two slits are perpendicular to each other. Now, no vibrations will pass through the second slit and amplitude of vibrations will become zero.but how is that possible?:confused:

On the otherhand, if longitudinal waves are generated in the rope by moving the rope along forward and backward, the vibrations will pass through them irrespective of their positions.

why only longitudinal waves exhibit this behaviour

What you have already written, more or less contains the answer to your question. It's only when you have a transverse vibration that there is any vibration away from the direction of propagation. If there is no transverse component of movement (i.e. in a longitudinal wave) then you cannot select a particular transverse 'component' in order to polarise the wave.
BTW, the rope example makes it hard to deal with the general question of polarisation at 'any angle'. It is better to consider the familiar radio (dipole) antenna, which launches waves that are polarised in the direction of the 'rods' of the antenna. A similar receiving antenna, parallel with the rods, will pick up a maximum signal. As you rotate the receiving antenna, you will pick up less and less of the signal (just receiving the component in line with the receive antenna), until you are at right angles, where there is zero component. It's an example of Vectors.
 
will not the amplitude of longitudinal wave become zero if it passes through vertical slit
 
aaaka said:
will not the amplitude of longitudinal wave become zero if it passes through vertical slit
Why should it? The slit will reduce the total flux of energy (of course - because most of the energy would be blocked by the plate with the slit in it) but that would be the case for a transverse wave too. The only particle motion will be 'through' the slit if the wave is longitudinal. Check your definitions of the different waves; that could be your problem.
 
sophiecentaur said:
Why should it? The slit will reduce the total flux of energy (of course - because most of the energy would be blocked by the plate with the slit in it) but that would be the case for a transverse wave too. The only particle motion will be 'through' the slit if the wave is longitudinal. Check your definitions of the different waves; that could be your problem.
in case of transverse waves as the horizontal slit rdeuces its amplitude to zero why the vertical slit don't reduces the amplitude of longitudinal waves to zero and transerve wave will pass through the vertical slit unobstructed but the longitudinal won't
the transverse wave amplitude will be zero by the horizontal slit so can"t the vertical slit zero amplitude of the longitudinal wave
 
Last edited:
aaaka said:
so can"t the vertical slit zero amplitude of the longitudinal wave

neither the vertical or horizontal slits will stop the longitudinal wave because neither of them are in the plane of the
oscillation of the longitudinal wave
 

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